AO1 - Influence of Early Attachment on Relationships

• Bowlby argues that the child has an internal working model:

  • mental representation that the child forms of their relationship with the primary caregiver
  • acts as a template for what relationships are like - the child uses their attachment relationship to the caregiver to build an expectation of what future relationships will be like
  • future relationships mirror childhood attachments
• Influence of the IWM on childhood relationships:

  • if a child has a secure attachment to their PCG, they are more likely to have better quality relationships with their peers
  • if a child has an insecure attachment to their PCG, they are more likely to have difficulties in making friends
• Smith et al found that early attachments can predict bullying behaviour - insecure-avoidant children were more likely to be victims of bullying and insecure-resistant children were more likely to be the bully
• Influence of IWM on adult romantic relationships:

  • Hazen and Shaver created a questionnaire (Love Quiz) which was printed in newspapers to study a person's adult attachment and their attachment in early childhood - they found: (see flashcards)
  • they concluded that the patterns of attachment behaviour are reflected in adult romantic relationships
• 56% of participants were securely attached as children - they were more likely to have positive and longer lasting romantic relationships with partners they felt they could trust
• 25% of participants has an insecure-avoidant attachment as children - they reported feelings of jealousy and feared intimacy
• 19% of participants had an insecure-resistant attachment as children - they feared being abandoned and can put too much pressure on their partner
• Influence of IWM on relationships with own children:

  • an IWM affects the ability to form a good relationship with their own children
  • people base their parenting style on their IWM so attachment tends to be passed on through family generations
• Bailey et al found that mothers tended to have the same attachment style with their child as they did with their own mother (mirrored)
• Secure attachments:

  • Peer relationships - long lasting
  • Adult romantic relationships - trust partner
  • Relationships with own children - secure
  • IWM type - positive
• Insecure-avoidant attachments:

  • Peer relationships - victim of bullying
  • Adult romantic relationships - fear intimacy
  • Relationships with own children - insecure-avoidant
  • IWM type - negative
• Insecure-resistant attachments:

  • Peer relationships - is the bully
  • Adult romantic relationships - fear abandonment
  • Relationships with own children - insecure-resistant
  • IWM type - negative