Influence of Early Attachment on later Relationships AO3

• Confounding variables 1/2

  -One limitation of studies into the ^; the existence of confounding variables. Some studies (such as McCarthy's) do assess attachment in infancy which means the assessment of early attachment is valid. However these studies may still have validity problems; the associations between attachment quality and later development may be affected by confounding variables.

  Eg. Parenting style may influence attachment quality and later development.
• Confounding variables 2/2

  -Alternatively, genetically influenced individuals’ personality may be an influence on both factors. This means that we can never be entirely sure that its early development attachment and not some other factors that are influencing later development.
• Validity issues with retrospective studies 1/2

  -One limitation of most research into ^ ; early attachment is assessed retrospectively. Most research on the link between early attachment and later development aren't longitudinal: instead, researchers usually ask adolescent or adult participants questions about their relationship with parents and identify attachment type from this. One validity problem is this relies on the honesty and accurate perception of the participants.
• Validity issues with retrospective studies 2/2

  -Another validity problem its very hard to know whether what is being assessed is early attachment or adult attachment. This means that measures of early atachment used in most studies may be confounded with other facters, making them meaningless.
• Research support 1/2

  +One strength of the research into attachment and later relationships is supporting evidence. Reviews of evidence linking attachment to later development have concluded that early attachment consistently predicts later attachment, emotional well-being and attachment to own children. How strong the relationship is between early attachment type and later development depends on the attachment type and the aspect of later development.
• Research support 2/2

  +So whilst insecure-avoidant attachment seems to convey fairly mild disadvantages for any aspect of development, disorganised attachment is strongly associated with later mental disorder. This means that secure attachment as a baby appears to convey advantages for future development. While disorganised attachment appears to seriously disadvantage children.
• +-Not all evidence supports the existence of close links between early attachment and later development. Stoll followed 43 individuals for one year. At age 16, attachment was assessed using the adult attachment interview & there was no evidence of continuity. This means that it isn't clear to what extent the quality of early attachment really predicts later developments. There may be other important factors.