The central theory we have looked at relating to the link between infant relationships and adult romantic relationships is Bowlby's 'continuity hypothesis' - that is, that the continuity is a result of the 'internal working model' acquired through the attachment relationships with the child's primary care giver, during the critical period.
You should know the evidence from Hazan and Shaver's 'Love Quiz' that the link exists, and be able to evaluate the use of this (and other questionnaires) and the Adult Attachment Interview. There are plenty of studies, looking at the related questions of how early childhood relationships may affect adolescent relationships, which in turn may affect adult ones... This sheet summaries a range of studies with clues as to how you might use them.
This topic is a good opportunity to use the Free Will vs Determinism and Nature / Nurture debates, as well as lots of research methodology issues to do with sample bias and participant effects (especially social desirability bias). The big problem with the research is that it doesn't really help to answer the question 'why is there continuity in relationship / attachment style?' - is Bowlby right, or could it be Temperament (nature) or Social Learning (nurture of a different kind)?
First presentation, introducing continuity.
Second presentation - more on research into continuity.
Essay question for Edmodo submission end of next week (Friday 20th):
“Mothers need to be aware that the way they treat their young children will determine their chances of finding love in later life”
Discuss the validity of this statement with reference to psychological research.
25 marks – 9+16
No comments:
Post a Comment