3.11 Later Relationships

3.11 Later Relationships

1. Continuity Hypothesis

   • The idea that there is consistency between early emotional experiences and later relationships. Based upon the internal working model.

2. Childhood Relationships

   • According to attachment theory, a child who has a secure attachment style should be more confident in interactions with friends.
   • Securely attached children unlikely to be involved in bullying. Insecure avoidant most likely to be victims and insecure resistant were bullies.

3. Adult Relationships

   • Parenting Style
     • Intergenerational continuity between adults attachments and their children. People tend to base their parenting style on the internal working model so attachments tend to be passed on through generations.
     • Harlow's monkeys showed a link between poor attachment and later difficulties with parenting.
   • Romantic Relationships
     • The IWM influences a persons expectation of later relationships, thus affecting their attitudes towards them.
     • Hazan and Shaver (1987) The Love Quiz - analysed 620 replies to a love quiz in a newspaper, assessing current relationships and attachment types.
       • Secure - tended to have long lasting relationships. Insecure - more difficult, tended to divorce and believed love was rare. Avoidant - jealousy and fear of intimacy.

4. Evaluation

   • Strengths:
     • Supporting evidence. Early attachment constantly predicts later attachment, wellbeing and attachment to own children.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Confounding variables. E.g parenting style might affect attachment quality and later development.
     • Early attachments were assessed retrospectively. Asking questions relies on honesty and accurate perception.