Dicuss the continuity hypothesis

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Discuss research into the Continuity Hypothesis

The continuity hypothesis states that the internal working model ensures that early attachments are reflected in later relationship types. Simpson’s 2007 longitudinal study using participants who had been studied from infancy until their mid-20’s, looked into the continuity hypothesis. He looked at attachment type, social competence in peer groups, quality of behaviours with close friends in detailed interviews, and lastly experiences in adult romantic relationships. He found that secure attachment at age 1 predicted children’s competence with peers at age 6, which predicted the next stages too. The study is different and has better data because it brings together a number of factors which could affect adult relationships. It is also the most longitudinal study of all those related to the continuity hypothesis. A problem with this study is that it only goes up to people ages mid-20’s, and it would be more accurate following them up to marriage. Relationships within the family may well act as a ‘training ground’ for later adult relationships which is behavioural. Studies have shown that adolescents who experienced less physical and verbal conflict tended to show interpersonal behaviours which enhanced the quality of their adult romantic relationships, such as greater use of discussion to resolve discord. This shows that the other factors affect your adult relationship and that attachment type doesn’t determine anything.

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The continuity hypothesis is quite deterministic as it assumes there is a causal link between attachment type and success in relationships. More studies that question the continuity hypothesis are those by Water and Lewis who found some degree of stability in attachment but no strong enough evidence was found for consistency over time. Whilst these two studies disagreed to some extent on the degree of change, when it occurred it was most often associated with negative life events.

Hazan and Shaver’s ‘Love Quiz’ study found a strong relationship between childhood attachment type. This study supports the claims of the continuity ...

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