What is the difference between the Internal Working Model and the Continuity Hypothesis?

The Internal Working Model is the specific mental template/schema formed by early attachment. The Continuity Hypothesis is the broader theory that this early template predicts and leads to consistent relationship patterns throughout life.

How do the bullying roles of Insecure-Avoidant and Insecure-Resistant children differ?

Insecure-Avoidant children are most likely to be the victims of bullying due to social withdrawal. Insecure-Resistant children are most likely to be the bullies, often displaying aggressive or controlling behaviors to manage their social anxiety.

Compare the adult romantic experiences of Secure vs. Insecure-Avoidant individuals.

Secure individuals typically experience happy, trusting, and long-lasting relationships. Insecure-Avoidant individuals tend to struggle with intimacy, fear closeness, and often have shorter, more emotionally distant relationships.

Why is it a mistake to assume early attachment 'causes' adult relationship quality?

Most research is correlational, meaning we cannot prove causation. Intervening variables like innate temperament or significant life changes (e.g., divorce or therapy) can alter the trajectory of an individual's social development.

What is the 'retrospective data' trap in attachment research?

Researchers often ask adults to recall their childhood experiences to determine their early attachment type. This is unreliable because memories are often inaccurate, and a person's current relationship satisfaction can bias how they remember their past.

What error occurs if a researcher ignores the role of temperament?

They may overattribute a child's social success to the mother's parenting. Temperament suggests that some children are naturally more 'easy' or 'difficult,' which influences both the mother's response and the child's later social skills independently.

Define the Internal Working Model (IWM).

The IWM is a cognitive framework comprising mental representations for understanding the world, self, and others. It is formed through the first attachment and acts as a guide for future social behavior.

What is 'Intergenerational Continuity' in the context of attachment?

It is the phenomenon where individuals mirror the attachment style they received as infants when they become parents themselves, effectively passing the attachment type down to their own children.

What is Attachment Disorder?

A psychological condition resulting from a lack of attachment during the critical period. It is characterized by an inability to form healthy relationships, lack of a preferred attachment figure, and social dysfunction.

How does a positive Internal Working Model influence childhood friendships?

It leads to higher social competence and empathy. Children with a positive IWM expect others to be friendly and are more popular because they approach social interactions with confidence and prosocial behavior.

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Influence of Early Attachment on Childhood & Adulthood Relationships

Summary

The quality of an infant's primary attachment creates a cognitive framework known as the Internal Working Model, which serves as a lifelong template for social interactions. This model influences social competence in childhood, romantic success in adulthood, and the parenting styles passed down through generations.

1. The Internal Working Model (IWM)

Definition: The Internal Working Model is a mental representation of the self and others formed through the primary attachment relationship. It acts as a schema that guides expectations about how relationships function and whether the individual is worthy of love.
The Template Effect: A child who experiences a loving, reliable caregiver develops a positive IWM, viewing themselves as lovable and others as trustworthy. Conversely, inconsistent or neglectful care leads to a negative IWM, where the individual may expect rejection or feel unworthy of affection.
Cognitive Influence: This model is not just emotional; it is a cognitive structure that filters social information, influencing how an individual perceives and reacts to the behavior of peers and partners throughout their life.

Flowchart showing how Early Attachment forms the Internal Working Model, which then branches out to influence Childhood Peer relationships and Adult Romantic relationships.

2. Childhood Social Dynamics & Bullying

Social Competence: Securely attached infants typically develop into children who are more popular, empathetic, and socially skilled. Their positive IWM allows them to approach peers with confidence and trust, facilitating deeper friendships.
Bullying Roles: Research indicates a strong correlation between attachment type and involvement in bullying. Secure children are rarely involved in bullying, whereas Insecure-Avoidant children are frequently the victims, and Insecure-Resistant children are often the perpetrators.
Emotional Regulation: The ability to manage emotions, learned through early caregiver interaction, dictates how a child handles conflict. Avoidant children may withdraw, making them targets, while resistant children may act out aggressively due to underlying anxiety.

3. Adulthood: Romantic Love & Parenting

4. Key Distinctions: Attachment Outcomes

5. Exam Strategy & Critical Evaluation