Outline and evaluate the Influence of childhood for adult relationships (24 Marks)

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Outline and evaluate the Influence of childhood for adult relationships

Bowlby proposed that young child develop an internal working model (IWM) from their first relationship with their primary care giver. This consists of a view of themselves as loveable or otherwise, a model of other people as trustworthy or not to be relied on, and an idea of how relationships work in general. This model is thought to continue to affect adult relationships. The child develops characteristics based on the responsiveness of the mother. Bowlby argued that the attachment style goes to adulthood claimed as the continuity hypothesis. There are three basic variations of attachments which was devised by Ainsworth. These are secure, insecure and ambivalent. It is said that these attachment styles will determine how well an individual can make and maintain relationships.

Simpson et al provides support for the importance of early attachment for adult relationships. They found that babies who were securely attached were rated as having higher levels of social competence, closer to friends and likely to express their feelings to their romantic partners. Proving that early experiences shape later ones.

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Alike, a study by Hazan and Shaver investigated the link between attachment styles and later adult relationships and provides support for the continuity hypothesis. They found that secure babies went on to find love easily and trust in a relationship. Insecure babies became adults who doubted love and feared the commitment. Lastly, ambivalent babies went on to be more jealous a possessive who were always worried about being abandoned.

However, attachment style can change. Zimmerman el al argued that when major life events occur such as a death or divorce, attachment can change from secure to insecure.

Similarly, ...

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