The Influence of Early Attachment

• (AO1) Define the internal working model

  Proposed by Bowlby (1969)

  
  

  IWM = internal template for future relationship expectations in childhood and adulthood.

  
  

  Through this important early relationship with their PCG (termed a monotropy – close attachment to one person) infant learns: what relationships are, how they're formed & patterns of behaviours about how individuals relate to one another in partnerships.

  
  

  E.g. infant experienced sensitive responsiveness from caregiver = likely form secure attachment, functional, reliable, loving future relationship. (visa versa - bad)
• (AO1) What did Sroufe et al (2005) contribute to early attachment in childhood?

  Conducted the Minnesota child-parent study and found that infants who were rated high in social competence during childhood = more empathetic, popular and less isolated.

  These results can be easily understood by considering the role of the IWM since infants who are securely attached will have positive expectations that others whom they relate to will be trustworthy and friendly in return, which provides the ideal platform for interacting with others during childhood.
• (AO1) Give the aim of Hazan and Shaver (1987) study on early attachment in adult relationships: Romantic.

  Aim = A questionnaire, termed the “Love Quiz”, designed to test the IWM to assess if attachment type formed as an infant influences friendships and adult relationships.
• (AO1) Give the method of Hazan and Shaver (1987) study on early attachment in adult relationships: Romantic 


  The quiz comprised of 3 sections, was published in a local American newspaper and received 620 volunteer responses (205 males, 415 female).

  -       1st section was designed to assess the individuals’ most important relationship.

  -       2nd section focused on ascertaining general experiences in love.

  -       3rd section asked self-selecting participants about their feelings in relation to some statements.
• (AO1) Give the results of Hazan and Shaver (1987) study on early attachment in adult relationships: Romantic

  56% ppts securely attached (SA)

  25% insecure avoidant (IA)

  19% insecure resistant (IR)

  • SA: positive correlation exists between secure childhood attachments and the likelihood of having long-lasting, loving romantic relationships.
  • IA: Individuals with insecure-avoidant attachments in infancy are more likely to dislike intimacy.
  • IR: Those with insecure-resistant attachments tend to have shorter relationships (around 6 years) compared to secure individuals (10+ years).
• (AO1) Give the conclusion of Hazan and Shaver (1987) study on early attachment in adult relationships: Romantic

  The findings analysed from the “Love Quiz” indicate that specific attachment type behaviours are reflected in adult romantic relationships because of an IWM formed in infancy to guide expectations.
• (AO1) Discuss the IWM within early attachment in adult relationships: parenting.

  The IWM also influences adult parenting style of an individual who goes onto have children of their own.

  Parenting styles, influenced by personal experiences IWM, often lead to the transmission of attachment types through the family generations.
• (AO3) Give a limitation of early attachments

  Point: Research challenges the continuousness of attachment type from childhood to adulthood.

  
  

  Evidence: Zimmerman (2000) suggests that infant attachment type classification & the quality of relationships with parents during adolescence are not related.

  
  

  Evaluate: These findings do not support the role of the IWM being important in the development of childhood and adult relationships, casting doubt on this concept created by developmental psychologist such as Bowlby.
• (AO3) Give a limitation of early attachments

  Point: Methodological issues with assessing attachment type retrospectively.

  
  

  Evidence: “Love Quiz” by Hazan and Shaver relys upon adult participants memories from infancy and childhood. Recollection from years gone by = likely impaired & any answers provided may lack accuracy due to deterioration, lowering internal validity of findings. 

  
  

  Evaluate: This problem is further worsened as individuals may not report honestly or even have an insight into their own IWM since its an unconscious framework.
• (AO3) Give a limitation of early attachments

  Point: Research on attachment's impact on relationships have very set views on the outcomes of future behaviour.

  
  

  Evidence: For instance, an insecurely attached infant is often expected to have poor relationships later in life due to a negative IWM formed by early experiences with caregivers.

  
  

  Evaluate: View is criticised, too deterministic, ignoring alternative outcomes. Some research shows that individuals can have happy adult relationships despite a difficult start = Bowlby may have overestimated the role of the IWM.