INFLUENCE OF EARLY ATTACHMENT

• Why is first attachment crucial?

  It provides a template that will affect the nature of future relationships. Due to internal working model created by the first attachment
• what effect does good attachment have?

  good relationship expectations. Assumes that is how all relationships are meant to be so seek functional relationships out
• what effect does bad attachment have?

  bad relationship expectations, may struggle to form relationships or do not behave appropriately in them
• what is the continuity hypothesis?

  Based on the internal working model. Idea that there is consistency between early emotional experiences and later relationships. It sees children’s attachment types being reflected in later relationships
• what did Kerns state?

  securely attached babies tend to go on to form the best quality childhood friendships whereas insecurely attached have friendship difficulties
• Who is less likely to be involved in bullying?

  securely attached children (Myron-Wilson and Smith) whereas insecure avoidant children are more likely to be victims and insecure resistant are most likely to be the bully
• What do people base their parenting style on?

  their own internal working model, Bailey et al found the majority of mothers had the same attachment classification to their babies as they had to their own mother
• Who analysed the Love Quiz?

  Hazan and Shaver
• What was the Love Quiz procedure?

  analysed 620 replies to “love quiz” in newspaper. Assessed three different aspects of relationships
• what 3 components did the Love Quiz asses?

  attachment types

  current and most important relationship

  general love experiences
• what were the findings of the Love Quiz?

  attachment type was reflected in their romantic relationships
• what were the results of the love quiz?

  securely attached most likely to have good and longer lasting romantic relationships

  avoidant tended to be jealous and fear intimacy
• Strength - strong research support


  Many studies show link between infant attachment type and later development. A study concluded infant attachment influenced development in many ways. Disorganised attachment was most predictive ( eg later mental disorders)

  COUNTERPOINT - not all evidence supports link, some research found no evidence of continuity of attachment type. Means not clear or complete
• Limitation - validity issues with retrospective studies


  Most asses attachment type in adulthood , not infancy, using questionnaires or interviews, rely on honest answers. Assume attachment type has not changed
• limitation - confounding variables


  some studies make assessments of infant attachment and follow up later however these may be affected by confounding variables. Eg parenting style and personality could effect. we can never be sure if it is infant attachment and not another factor