Lesson 12 Flashcards
What is bowlbys monotropic theory?
Bowlby argued that infants will have 1 special emotional bond. He referred to this as monotropy. This is often the biological mother, but not always. Monotropy is important as the infant uses this this relationship to form a mental view of relationships, called an internal working model. Infants that securely attached in infancy ensure a positive working model. This means that current, future abs romantic adult relationships will be positive and secure
What is continuity hypothesis?
It proposes that individuals who are securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent because a secure childhood leads to a positive internal working model
Evaluation of bowlby monotropy?
- Schaffer and Emerson found that monotropy is uncommon and that multiple attachments is more common. By 18 months they found that only 13% of babies had one person they were attached to
- Femenists like Erica Birman pointed out that monotropy is socially sensitive. It places a massive burden on the mothers, setting them up for blame if anything in the childrens life goes wrong. It also puts pressure on mothers to give up their careers. Bowlby also underestimated the role of the father. He saw him as primarily economic. This is sexist and outdated and both parents are equally responsibLe for child care. In many cases the father is the primary caregiver
- tizard and hodges found that attachments can still form after the critical period. He found those adopted after the age of 4, who hadn’t formed any attachment, could still form attachments with their newly adopted parents, even though they would not have a positive internal working model
What did Hazan and shaver do?
They designed a study to test the connection between a persons infant attachment style, their internal working model, and their adult attachment style
What is the procedure for Hazan and shaver?
They placed a ‘love quiz’ in the Rocky Mountain news, an American newspaper. The quiz asked about their relationship with their parents, attitudes towards love, and their current relationship experiences. This determines their infant attachment style, their internal working model, and their adult attachment style. They got 620 responses. 205 men. 415 from women from a fair cross section of the population
What were the findings.
They found that the prevalence of adult attachment styles was similar to infant attachment styles. 56% were classified secure, 25% insecure avoidant, 19% insecure resistant. Suggesting that most peoples infant attachment styles are the same as their adult attachment styles.
They also found a relationship between internal working models and their type of adult attachment style. Those with a positive internal working model tended to be securely attached adults
They also found a positive correlation between adult attachment styles and love experiences. Securely attached adults find their love experiences as happy, friendly, trusting. They emphasised being able to accept and support their partner despite their faults. These relationships lasted longer, 10 yrs on average compared to 6 for avoidant and 5 for resistant
What is evaluation of hazan and shaver
- It is unreliable, several other studies have failed to find the strong correlation between infant attachment style and adult attachment style. Fraley conducted a review of 27 samples where infants were assessed in infancy and later reassessed (20 yr mark). Correlations ranged from 0.5-0.1
- this study is correlational rather than experimental therefore cause and effect cannot be determined. Impossible to say that infant attachment style determines adult attachment style. It could be a third factor affects both, such as innate temperament
- this study is not valid as it relies on participants memories about their early lives in order to asses their infant attachment style. Such recollections are likely to be flawed because our memories of the past are not always accurate.
