The Influence of Early Attachments

who was the internal working model (IWM) introduced by

Bowlby

what is the IWM

mental representation of the self, others, and relationships

template for future relationships

how is the IWM formed

interactions with the primary caregiver (usually the mother)

what does IWM infuence

how a person:

1. views themselves

2. views others

3. approaches relationships

what is continuity hypothesis

relationships later in life are likely to be a continuation of early attachment styles

what does the infant's primary attachment figure promote

IMW for relationships that the infant uses later on in life

consistency between early attachment and later relationships

secure forms stable relationships

insecure avoidant forms distant relationships

insecure resistant forms clinginess and jealousy

secure attachment on peer relationships (childhood)

positive relationships

confident/empathetic/socially skilled

insecure attachment on peer relationships (childhood)

struggle to form relationships

aggression

socially withdrawn

more likely to bully others

what did Sroufe et al. (2005) find

infants who had high social competence during childhood were more empathetic, popular, and felt less isolated

main study in romantic relationships (adulthood)

Hazan and Shaver (1987) 'love quiz'

what did Hazan and Shaver find

strong links between infant attachment types and later adult romantic relationships

why does IWM built in childhood influence parenting styles

parenting styles are based on personal experiences and expectations of the IWM

passed down through generations

key study for parenting (adulthood)

Bailey et al. (2007)

what did Bailey et al. (2007) find

vast proportion of the women had the same attachment type to their infant as to their own mother

strengths of influence of early attachments

Kerns (1994) found securely attached infants are more inclined to have good quality peer relationships during childhood whilst infants with insecure attachments are likely to struggle with friendships

Hazan and Shaver found adults who had secure attachment were most likely to have healthy adult relationships

limitations of influence of early attachments

research is conducted retrospectively (Hazan and Shaver)

continuity hypothesis is deterministic

free will has a role in relationships and behaviour

relationship-continuity-hypothesis is culturally biased

ethnocentric

low ecological validity