AO1

• What is Bowlby’s Internal Working Model for Early attachment?

  • Suggested that a child’s first relationship with their primary attachment figure forms a mental representation = acts as a template for future relationships
  • The quality is crucial because this template will powerfully affect the nature of their future relationships.
• How does the internal working model affect later relationships?

  • Child with loving relationship with reliable caregiver=seek out functional relationships/behave functionally
  • Child with bad experiences=struggle to form relationships=don't behave appropriately
• Attachment Types Influencing Relationships in Later Childhood:

  • Attachment type = quality of peer relationships
  • Secure = best quality
  • Insecure = difficulties

  Wilson & Smith Study:

  • Gave attachment type & bullying involvement questionnaires to 196 children ages 7-11:

  Findings:

  • Secure = uninvolved in bullying
  • Insecure-avoidant = victims
  • Insecure-resistant = bullies
• Attachment Type Influence on Romantic/Friendship Relationships in Adulthood?

  • McCarthy studied 40 adult women who had their attachment type assessed as infants
  • Secure = best adult friendships & relationships
  • Insecure-avoidant= struggled with intimacy
  • Insecure-resistant = problems maintaining friendships
• Procedure:

  • Hazan & Shaver conducted a study of association between attachment/adult relationships & analysed 620 replies to 'love quiz'
  • Quiz had 3 sections (most important relationship/love experiences/attachment type)

  Findings:

  • 56% = secure respondents // 25% = insecure-avoidant respondents // 19% = insecure-resistant respondents
  • Secure respondents = good, long-lasting relationships // Avoidant respondents = jealousy & fear of intimacy
  • Suggest that patterns of attachment behaviour are reflected in romantic relationships.
• How does early attachment influence relationships in adulthood as a parent?

  Parenting style based on internal working model = attachment type passed on