2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology Attachment: The Influence Of The IWM on Childhood And Adult Relationships
This flashcard set covers the Influence of the Internal Working Model (IWM) on later relationships, explaining how early attachment experiences create a mental representation of relationships. These internal models then shape and mirror future childhood and adult relationships.
What does a child form of their early attachment relationship with their primary caregiver?
A mental representation (schema)
Key Terms
What does a child form of their early attachment relationship with their primary caregiver?
A mental representation (schema)
“The internal working model acts as a model for what relationships are like and future relationships will ______ them”
mirror
What is a child likely to have if they have been raised by a loving primary caregiver who responds to their needs?
A secure attachment
What type of attachment results in a positive internal working model?
Secure
What is a child more likely to have if their first relationship is with a caregiver who is unresponsive to their needs?
An insecure attachment
What type of attachment will result in a negative internal working model?
Insecure
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What does a child form of their early attachment relationship with their primary caregiver? | A mental representation (schema) |
“The internal working model acts as a model for what relationships are like and future relationships will ______ them” | mirror |
What is a child likely to have if they have been raised by a loving primary caregiver who responds to their needs? | A secure attachment |
What type of attachment results in a positive internal working model? | Secure |
What is a child more likely to have if their first relationship is with a caregiver who is unresponsive to their needs? | An insecure attachment |
What type of attachment will result in a negative internal working model? | Insecure |
Who provides an infant with a mental representation of relationships? | Their primary caregiver |
What type of caregiver must you have to provide you with a positive IWM? | Responsive |
What type of caregiver will cause you to develop a negative IWM? | Unresponsive |
If a child feels secure, what type of IWM do they have? | Positive |
If a child feels unworthy, what type of IWM do they have? | Negative |
A negative IWM means a child feels …. | Unworthy |
If a child has positive relationships in the future, this is the result of what type of IWM? | Positive |
What type of future relationships will a positive IWM result in? | Positive and successful |
A student has written this in their exam; “Lorenz supports Bowlby’s theory of an internal working model” Correct or incorrect? | Incorrect |
What did Hazen and Shaver find which supports the internal working model? | Those with positive relationships early in life have positive romantic relationships later in life |
Does Hazen and Shavers research support or contradict the IWM? | Support |
Which research supports the IWM? | Hazen and Shaver |
Why may Hazen and Shavers research be limited? | Due to social desirability |
Why may Hazen and Shavers research suffer from social desirability | As it uses self report methods - a questionnaire (the love quiz) |
Who found that those with positive relationships early in life have positive relationships later in life? | Hazen and Shaver |
If a child has a secure attachment to their primary caregiver, they are less likely to have better quality relationships with their peers True or false? | False! - They are more likely to have better quality relationships with their peers |
If a child has an insecure attachment to their primary caregiver, they are more likely to have difficulties in making friends True or false? | True |
If a child has a secure attachment to their primary caregiver, their relationships with their peers will be… | Better quality |
According to the IWM, why might a child have difficulties in making friends? | Insecure attachment to their primary caregiver |
According to Smith et al. (1998), what attachment type of children are most likely to be victims of bullying? | Insecure-avoidant |
According to Smith et al. (1998), what attachment type of children are most likely to be the bully? | Insecure-resistant |
Who found that early attachment could predict bullying behaviour? | Smith et al (1998) |
The IWM influences what three types of relationship? | Childhood (peer), adult romantic, adult with own children |
Bailey et al (2007) found that mothers tend to have the same attachment style with their child as they did with their own mother True or false? | True - attachment tends to be passed on through family generations |
What research evidence supports the influence of the IWM on relationships with own children? | Bailey at al (2007) |
Harlow's research supports the influence of early attachment on later relationships True or false? | True - it shows that having a negative early attachment can lead to negative relationships later with partners and own children |
Which animal study shows that having a negative early attachment can lead to negative relationships later with partners and own children? | Harlow |
Which animal study shows research support for the influence of early attachments on later relationships? | Harlow - it shows that having a negative early attachment can lead to negative relationships later with partners and own children |
The IWM theory states that our behaviour (later relationships) is controlled by early relationships (early attachment) - this means the theory is… | Deterministic |
Bowlby believes that IWM are passed on from… | one generation to the next |
According to Bowlby, people base their parenting on… | their own experiences of being parented |