The influence of early attachment

• The importance of the Internal Working Model - A mental model of the world which enables individuals to predict and control their environment. It relates to their expectations of relationship - They learn about relationships through experience - It is an ‘operable’ model as predicts people in the future
• Effects on adulthood: Hazan and Shaver Love Quiz - Defined a test to study the internal working model - Placed a love quiz in the American Rocky Mountain News, it measured current attachment experiences and attachment history - 620 responses, 205 male, 415 female - Attachment style similar to childhood, 56% secure, 25% avoidant, 19% resistant - Found a positive correlation between attachment type and love experiences- secure had more enduring relationships (10 years) and had a more positive approach to relationships
• Poor Parenting Harlow – poor attachment and difficulties with parenting Quinton- lack of IWM means lack reference point to form relationships with own child
• Romantic Relationships Link between early attachment and adult relationships Insecurely attached had relationships around 5 years, compared to secures who had 10.
• Childhood Friendships Minnesota child-has found continuity between early attachment and later social behaviour More popular, less isolated, higher expectations of people being friendlier = easier relationships
• Children’s Mental Health The lack of an attachment during the critical period in development would result in a lack of an internal working model. Children with attachment disorder have no preferred attachment figure, an inability to interact and relate to others that is evident before the age of five.