The influence of early attachment Flashcards
What is the internal working model?
A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predicts and control their environments - in reference to attachment = a persons expectations about relationships
Who suggested the internal working model?
Bowlby
Who did the key study into influence of early attachment?
Hazan and Shaver
What were the procedures of Hazan and Shavers study?
Placed a ‘Love Quiz’ in a small town publication in USA - quiz asked questions about current attachment experiences and about attachment history (aiming to identify attachment types) - also asked about attitudes towards love (an assessment of the internal working model)
Analysed 620 responses, 205 from men and 415 from women
What were the findings of Hazan and Shavers study?
Found current attachment styles was similar to that found in infancy - 56% = secure, 35% = avoidant and 19% = resistant
Also found a positive correlation between love experiences and attachment type
Securely attached adults described their love experiences as happy and trusting - these relationships were more enduring and than avoidant participants
Found securely attached individuals tended to have a more positive internal working model
How are behaviours influenced by the internal working model?
1) Childhood friendships
Continuity hypothesis…
2) Poor parenting
3) Romantic relationships
4) Mental health
Why can psychologists not scientifically claim the internal working model/early attachment effect later relationships?
Research is correlational rather than experimental
e.g. could be based on innate temperament rather than early attachment
Why is retrospective classification an issue with studies on early attachment?
Much of the research is based on the adults recollection of infancy - this can be flawed
However, longitudinal studies do support Hazan and Shavers findings e.g. Simpson et al found children rated as having higher levels of social competence were closer to their friends at age 16 + were more expressive and emotionally attached to their romantic partners in adulthood
Why is suggesting an infants attachment style impacts later life overly deterministic?
Many researchers have found that there are plenty of instances where participants were experiencing happy adult relationships despite not being securely attached as infants
Simpson et al concludes ‘research does not suggest that an individuals past unalterably determines the future course of his/her relationships
