influence of childhood

Influence of Childhood on adult relationships

Influence of Childhood on adult relationships

Economic vs. evolutionary2

ASCMIBowlbys theory of attachment has a number of parts, which can be broken down into the following:

A: AdaptiveS: Social ReleasersC: Critical PeriodM: MonotropyI: Internal Working model

3

Bowlby (1958)Through the monotropic attachment, the infant would form an Internal working model. This is a template for relationships. All the childs future adult relationships will be based on the monotropic attachment with the Primary Care Giver

4

Attachment Types

Type A = Insecure Avoidant

Type B = Secure

Type C = Insecure - Resistant22%66%12%

Continuity Hypothesis

If we create an Internal Working model, (that is a template for future relationships), there should be a relationship between an infants attachment type and their attachment style in later life.

This is called the Continuity Hypothesis.

Hazan & Shaver (1987)

Questionnaire in local newspaper asking pps to describe their relationship with their parents and their opinions of romantic relationships

215 men and 415 women replied to the advert (age 14-82 years)

Hazan & Shaver (1987)Adult romantic behaviour

Hazan and Shaver love quizSecure (B) = Happy & trusting in relationships. Higher self-esteem, not afraid of closenessAvoidant (A) = Doubtful of the existence of love, feared closeness, less accepting and forgivingResistant (C) = Emotional extremes of jealousy and passion. Fall in and out of relationships easily but struggle with true love

13

Hazan & Shaver (1987)

Securely attached ppt relationships lasted, on average, twice as long as those classed insecure

Evaluation of Hazan & Shaver Demand Characteristics

Bias Sample (volunteers)

Retrospective data memory of childhood?


Anxiety about attachment issues is the driving force behind a range of destructive patterns of communication in intimate relationships

Shaver (1987)

Peer Relationships

Provide young people with opportunity to develop social skills and relationship skills

Value of Friendship

Allows us to develop our own sense of value

PopularityAbility to satisfy others

Close friendship allows you to trust and understand othersAcceptance and being understood


Childs attachment style may influence their interactions with peers

Peer relationships are important in shaping young peoples attitudes to adult relationships

Hartup et al (1993)

Observed child behaviour and questioned parents/teachers about student interactions

Securely attached children:More popular in nurseryEngage more in social interactionsInsecurely attached children: More reliant on teachers for emotional support

Simpson et al (2007)78 pps

Longitudinal Study

Aim: To find out if primary attachments have an effect on later peer and intimate relationships

Simpson et al (2007)

1 Year: Attachment behaviour with PCG

6-8 Years: Teachers rated interaction with peers

16 Years: PPs describe close friendships

Adults: PPs describe Romantic Relationships

Simpson et al (2007)

Securely attached as infants:

Higher Social CompetenceCloser to friendsMore emotionally attached to partners

Possible Other factors

How can we be sure that an Internal Working Model exists?

Personality?Learning?Life events?

AO3

GenderReductionistEthical Guidelines?Nature vs. NurtureAnimal StudiesDeterminsm vs. Free WillEthnocentricism

26

AO3 Reductionist Just childhood attachments that influence later adult relationships?

Zimmerman (2000) found that child attachment did not predict adult relationship securityLife events such as parent divorce/death had a much greater influence on later relationship securityHazan and Shavers continuity hypothesis may therefore be seen as too simplistic and fails to account for other factors.

AO3


28

AO3 Deterministic

Theory suggests that our childhood attachment determines the quality of our future relationshipsQuinton et al (1999) identified a group of people who had experienced problematic parent relationships but had gone on to achieve secure, stable and happy romantic relationshipsThis research suggests that relationship security is not determined by parent attachment type and secure attachments in adult relationships can be learned

AO3


30

AO1Bowlby IWMStrange situation 3 attachment typesContinuity Hypothesis (Hazan & Shaver)Romantic relationships & adult friendships

AO2

Hazan & Shaver Love QuizHartup Social interactions in nurserySimpson Longitudinal

AO3


33

influence of childhood

Science