Influence of Early Attachment on Later Relationships

Question 1

What is the internal working model in attachment theory?

Answer 1

It’s a mental template based on the child’s first attachment that influences future relationships.

Question 2

How do good and bad attachments affect future relationships?

Answer 2

Good attachments → trust and intimacy; poor attachments → fear of rejection and intimacy issues.

Question 3

How does early attachment affect childhood relationships?

Answer 3

Securely attached children tend to have better friendships and are more socially involved.

Question 4

How does early attachment influence adulthood relationships?

Answer 4

Secure attachments often lead to long-lasting romantic relationships and good parenting.

Question 5

What did Hazan and Shaver (1987) find in the ‘Love Quiz’?

Answer 5

Securely attached individuals had longer, trusting relationships; insecure types showed jealousy and fear.

Question 6

How does attachment style affect parenting?

Answer 6

The internal working model impacts not just romantic but also parenting styles, passing on attachment patterns.

Question 7

What is a strength of the internal working model theory?

Answer 7

Strong research support shows early insecurity predicts later social and emotional issues.

Question 8

Why is the use of retrospective studies a limitation?

Answer 8

Adults recalling early attachment may give biased or inaccurate data, reducing validity.

Question 9

What confounding variables affect conclusions about early attachment?

Answer 9

Family environment or temperament can influence both attachment and later relationships, oversimplifying causality.

Question 10

What ethical concern is linked to attachment theory use?

Answer 10

Labelling children as insecurely attached may lead to stigma or self-fulfilling prophecies, requiring ethical caution.