Why Relationships Change Or End?

Question 1

What studies/ theories support why relationships change or end?

Answer 1

• Bowlby
• Duck
• Hazen and Shaver
• Bandura

Question 2

Duck

Answer 2

• conducted a meta analysis of longitudinal studies
• found that couples are more likely to divorce if they married young, if they are poor and if THEIR PARENTS ARE DIVORCED
• Divorced parents = see divorce as a way out of a relationship as it becomes a more viable option when you see it
• in attempt to avoid problems you’re parents faced you withhold information that causes problems
• you will look for your parents reasons for divorce in your own relationship leading to paranoia your partner is showing the same behaviours
• links to SCT as we learn behaviours from others especially parents ; children might learn the behaviours that lead to the divorce
• correlational study = cannot infer cases and effect
• meta analysis reduces validity

Question 3

Bowlby

Answer 3

-Bowlby was an evolutionary Psychologist who believed a child learns what relationships should look like from a very young age
Bowlby said that children have a critical period (0 - 2 years) in which they must form a healthy relationship with their primary caregiver which he often referred to as the mother, and this relationship sets a template for all future relationships. if a child does not form a healthy relationship during this time, they will suffer from something he called maternal deprivation ( the emotional and intellectual consequences of separating mother and child)
- continuous care from mother is essential for development
- first relationship acts as a template for the new one

• ignores the essential role of other caregivers
• contrasting findings where children who have experienced MD have gone on to have healthy relationships

Question 4

Hazen and Shaver

Answer 4

-To investigate whether romantic love among adults shows the same attachment styles as those found between children and their parents.

-Newspaper survey, presented as a “love quiz”.
First 620 responses were analysed – 205 from men and 415 from women.
42% of participants were married and 31% were dating.
Questions asked about issues such as fear of closeness, jealousy and obsessive preoccupation.

-Attachment styles in childhood are stable in adulthood and could be observed influencing romantic relationships in later life.
Significant support to attachment theory - early relationships are fundamental to an individual’s subsequent ability to form stable relationships throughout life.

• Purely correlative
• No way of knowing of those who report secure adult relationships were also securely attached as children