This document contains an example answer to an 8 mark A-level question on the influence of early attachment on adult relationships, assessing Assessment Outcome’s 1 (demonstrating knowledge of theory) and 3 (evaluating theory). This type of question may appear in the AQA A-level 'Introduction to ...
Discuss research into the influence of early attachment on adult relationships. (8 marks)
Hazan and Shaver (1987) conducted a study aimed at testing the internal working model; a mental model of
the world which influences an individual’s expectations about relationships. Together they analysed the results
of 620 replies to a ‘love quiz’ that had been printed in a local North American newspaper. The quiz assessed
the respondent’s current attachment experiences, as well as their attachment history, in order to identify their
childhood attachment. It also included questions on the respondent’s attitudes to love to assess their internal
working model. Their findings suggested that those who had a secure attachment in childhood were most
likely to have good and longer-lasting romantic experiences. Those who had experienced insecure-avoidant
attachment, revealed feelings of jealousy and fear of intimacy. This suggests that patterns of attachment
behaviour are reflected in later romantic relationships.
A possible strength of Hazan and Shaver’s study is that it is supported by Harlow’s monkey study. Harlow
found that his monkeys were both sexually and socially abnormal. They could not comfort their young because
they’d never experienced it from their own mothers. Therefore, this study supports the internal working
model, as well as the influence a person’s early attachment can have on their adult relationships. However,
Harlow’s study was conducted with animals and thus it is not entirely appropriate to generalise out his findings
to humans, for a lack of validity. Consequently, this study may be of limited usefulness when discussing
research into the influence of early attachments on later relationships.
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