Internal working model

• Internal working model


  A template for future relationships formed by the first attachment experience
• First attachment


  Affects the nature of future relationships
• Good experience of attachment


  • Leads to good relationship expectations
  • Child assumes this is how all relationships were meant to be
  • Child seeks out functional relationships
• Bad experience of attachment


  • Leads to bad relationship expectations
  • Child brings bad experiences to other relationships
  • Child struggles to form relationships
• Securely attached infants


  • Form better friendships
  • Are less likely to bully
• Internal working models


  • Effect parenting style
  • Attachment types tend to be passed on through generations of a family