Discuss the influence of early attachment on adult relationships
1. Affects romantic relationships
A01: Bowlby’s evolutionary theory. Primary attachment provides a blueprint for future
relationships and integrates into internal working model (IWM)
A03: Hazan and Shaver (1987) describe results. Provides support the concept of IWM
and the continuity hypothesis. + However, A limitation is the fact that it is a correlation.
Cannot infer a causation based on a relationship.
2. There could be other factors that influence romantic relationships.
A03: Freeney - self -verification process, stick to what you are used to, seek out those who
confirm the schema cornering the nature of relationships. Thus, it is the recent romantic
relationships that have the biggest impact. Not attachment types but a combination of recent
and previous relationships.
3. Deterministic view.
A01: According to Bowlby’s internal working model, children who are insecurely attached
at the age of 1 are determined to experience emotionally unhappy relationships as adults.
A03: Negative concept that discourages a person to seek happy relationships. Simpson
(2007) showed that overall research does not suggest than individual's past determines the
future of their relationships. Challenges Bowlby and using Love Quiz to support the theory.
4. Early attachment can also influence parenting experience.
A01: Harlow (1959) - monkeys raised by a cloth covered surrogate mothers were
inadequate mothers. But can’t generalise to humans.
A03: Quinton - women raised in institutions subsequently unable to raise their children.
Support for Bowlby IWM. Didn't have a reference for a loving relationship, can't form a
secure attachment with children because they didn’t have a secure relationship themselves.
1. Affects romantic relationships
A01: Bowlby’s evolutionary theory. Primary attachment provides a blueprint for future
relationships and integrates into internal working model (IWM)
A03: Hazan and Shaver (1987) describe results. Provides support the concept of IWM
and the continuity hypothesis. + However, A limitation is the fact that it is a correlation.
Cannot infer a causation based on a relationship.
2. There could be other factors that influence romantic relationships.
A03: Freeney - self -verification process, stick to what you are used to, seek out those who
confirm the schema cornering the nature of relationships. Thus, it is the recent romantic
relationships that have the biggest impact. Not attachment types but a combination of recent
and previous relationships.
3. Deterministic view.
A01: According to Bowlby’s internal working model, children who are insecurely attached
at the age of 1 are determined to experience emotionally unhappy relationships as adults.
A03: Negative concept that discourages a person to seek happy relationships. Simpson
(2007) showed that overall research does not suggest than individual's past determines the
future of their relationships. Challenges Bowlby and using Love Quiz to support the theory.
4. Early attachment can also influence parenting experience.
A01: Harlow (1959) - monkeys raised by a cloth covered surrogate mothers were
inadequate mothers. But can’t generalise to humans.
A03: Quinton - women raised in institutions subsequently unable to raise their children.
Support for Bowlby IWM. Didn't have a reference for a loving relationship, can't form a
secure attachment with children because they didn’t have a secure relationship themselves.
