role of the internal working model

• Internal Working Model – A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment. Regarding attachment, this relates to the person’s expectations about relationships
• An infant learns about relationships from experience with their PCG / monotropic attachment  The infant learns what relationships are, and how people in a relationship feel and behave towards each other.​
• This then forms the expectations and attitudes towards others, both with friendships (childhood) and romantic relationships (adult). ​
• According to the critical period and continuity hypothesis, the IWM does not change throughout life, and is even then passed on to any children.