Influence of Early Attachment & Internal Working Model

This section explores the influence of early attachment on childhood and adult relationships and the internal working model. John Bowlby’s theory of attachment suggests that early attachment experiences form the basis for future relationships through the development of an internal working model. This model shapes expectations and behaviours in both childhood and adult relationships.

Internal Working Model

Definition: The internal working model is a cognitive framework comprising mental representations for understanding the self, others, and relationships. It is formed during infancy based on the child’s interactions with their primary attachment figure.

Key Features:

Self: How the individual perceives themselves (e.g., as worthy of love and care).

Others: How they perceive others (e.g., as trustworthy or available).

Relationships: General expectations about how relationships function.

Impact:

A securely attached child, who experiences consistent and sensitive caregiving, is likely to develop a positive internal working model. This fosters healthy, trusting relationships.

Conversely, insecure attachment may lead to a negative internal working model, resulting in difficulties in forming stable and secure relationships.

Influence on Childhood Relationships

Peer Relationships:

Securely attached children tend to have more positive peer interactions. They are empathetic, socially competent, and able to form close friendships.

Insecurely attached children may struggle with social skills, often exhibiting withdrawal or aggression.

Kerns (1994) found that securely attached children have better quality friendships in childhood.

Teacher-Student Relationships:

Secure attachment is associated with positive relationships with teachers and better academic performance.

Insecure attachment may lead to difficulties in trusting authority figures, resulting in behavioural issues or disengagement from learning.

Romantic and Close Friendships in Adolescence:

Early attachment influences the ability to form close, supportive friendships and romantic relationships during adolescence.

Secure adolescents typically report more stable and satisfying romantic relationships.

Influence on Adult Relationships

Bowlby’s theory suggests that the internal working model continues to guide relationship behaviours into adulthood, influencing romantic relationships, friendships, and even parenting styles.

Romantic Relationships:

Secure Attachment:

• Individuals with a secure attachment history tend to have healthy, lasting romantic relationships.
• They demonstrate trust, emotional intimacy, and effective communication.
• Insecure-Avoidant Attachment:
• These individuals may struggle with intimacy, preferring independence and avoiding close emotional connections.
• They may find it hard to trust others or depend on them.

Insecure-Resistant Attachment:

• These individuals often seek closeness but are overly dependent on their partners. They may experience anxiety in relationships, fearing abandonment.
• They can be clingy, possessive, and prone to conflict.

Research Evidence:

Hazan and Shaver (1987) conducted a study on the influence of early attachment on adult romantic relationships using the "love quiz."

Participants reported their childhood attachment experiences and their current relationship status.

Findings:

Securely attached individuals reported more positive, enduring relationships.

Insecurely attached individuals had more difficulties in relationships, with avoidant individuals struggling with intimacy and resistant individuals experiencing relationship anxiety.

Friendships:

Secure attachment fosters healthy friendships, characterised by trust, empathy, and support.

Insecure attachment can lead to challenges in maintaining close friendships, either due to avoidance of intimacy or excessive dependence.

Parenting:

The internal working model influences how individuals parent their own children.

Intergenerational Transmission of Attachment:

Securely attached individuals are more likely to provide sensitive and responsive care, fostering secure attachment in their own children.

Bailey et al. (2007) found that the majority of mothers share the same attachment classification as their own infants, highlighting the role of internal working models in parenting.

Evaluation of the Influence of Early Attachment

Strengths:

Research Support:

Studies such as those by Hazan and Shaver provide empirical evidence linking early attachment to later relationship outcomes.

Longitudinal studies, like Sroufe et al. (2005), show that early attachment security is predictive of social and emotional competence in later life.

Practical Applications:

Understanding the influence of early attachment can help in developing interventions to support children and families, particularly in cases of early adversity or insecure attachment patterns.

Criticisms:

Determinism:

The theory has been criticised for being overly deterministic, suggesting that early attachment experiences rigidly determine later relationship outcomes.

Rutter (1981) argued that individuals can overcome negative early experiences through resilience and positive later relationships.

Reductionism:

Reduces complex human relationships to early attachment experiences, potentially neglecting other influencing factors such as life experiences, personality, and socio-economic circumstances.

Retrospective Data:

Studies like Hazan and Shaver’s rely on retrospective self-report, which may be subject to memory biases and inaccuracies.

Alternative Explanations:

The temperament hypothesis suggests that innate personality traits may play a significant role in influencing relationships, independent of early attachment experiences.

Conclusion

Bowlby’s concept of the internal working model provides a compelling explanation for the continuity between early attachment experiences and later relationships. While research supports the theory’s basic premises, it is important to consider individual differences and the possibility of change over time. Early attachment is influential, but it is not the sole determinant of relationship outcomes, allowing for flexibility and growth throughout life.