Influence of Early Attachments on Adult Relationships

Question 1

What is Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory?

Answer 1

• Argued infants will have one special emotional bond, monotropy
• This bond is often with the biological mother but not always

Question 2

What is the Continuity Hypothesis?

Answer 2

• Proposes that individuals who are securely attached in infancy continue to be socially and emotionally competent
• This is because a secure childhood leads to a positive internal working model

Question 3

What is some evaluation of Bowlby’s Monotropic Theory?

Answer 3

Schaffer and Emerson - 18 months only 13% had one attachment
Feminist Outlook - Erica Burman
Tizard and Hodges - children by the age of 4 could still form attachments when adopted

Question 4

What was the aim of Hazan and Shaver’s study?

Answer 4

To test the connection between a persons infant attachment style, their internal working model and their adult attachment style

Question 5

What was the procedure of Hazan and Shaver’s study?

Answer 5

• Placed a ‘Love Quiz’ in the Rocky Mountain News
• Asked questions about relationship to their parents to work out infant attachment style
• Asked about their current relationships to identify adult attachment style
• Asked about attitudes to love to identify their internal working model
• Analysed from a fair cross section of the population, 620 total, 205 men and 415 women

Question 6

What was the findings of Hazan and Shavers study?

Answer 6

• When analysing adult attachment style they found it was similar to infant attachment styles
• 56% were classified as secure, 25% insecure-avoidant, 19% insecure-resistant
• Suggests most peoples infants attachment style is the same as adult attachment style
• Found a relationship between an individuals internal working model and their adult attachment style
• Adults with a positive internal working model tended to be securely attached adults

Question 7

What did they find about adult attachment styles?

Answer 7

• Found a correlation between adult attachment style and love experiences
• Securely attached adults described love experiences as happy, friendly and trusting
• They were able to accept and support the faults in their partner
• Lasted 10 years on average compared to 6 years for avoidant and 5 years for resistant

Question 8

What are some strengths of Hazan and Shaver’s study?

Answer 8

Large sample size

Question 9

What are some weaknesses of Hazan and Shaver’s study?

Answer 9

Relies on memories -relies on participants early memories to assess infant attachment style
Correlational - no cause and effect