Exam Questions

Question 1

Outline 1 example of cultural variation in attachment

Answer 1

-higher rates of insecure-resistant in collectivist cultures
-as researched by izjendoorn in Japan

Question 2

Explain how early experiences might impact later love relationships

Answer 2

-Bowlby’s IWM - a lack of early attachment hasn’t provided a template for later relationships
-fear of commitment may explain the inability to ‘settle down’
-maternal deprivation leads to later emotional problems

Question 3

Evaluate the procedure known as the ‘strange situation’

Answer 3

-controlled observation = lacks ecological validity
-standardised procedures = easier replication
-cultural bound to english children
-only 3 types of attachment were found

Question 4

Discuss the influence of early attachment on childhood relationships

Answer 4

-Bowlby’s internal working model (IWM) – early attachment provides blueprint/prototype for later attachments
-formation of mental representation/schema of first attachment relationship
-affects later relationships during childhood
-attachment type associated with quality of peer relationships in childhood – studies of friendship and bullying

-discussion of Bowlby’s IWM and issue of determinism - negative implications of assumption that the relationship is cause and effect
-self-report techniques to assess quality of childhood/adult relationships –
subjectivity, social desirability
-difficulty of measuring the IWM – hypothetical concept