Bowlby Internal Working Model

Bowlby stated that there is a critical 2-year period when an infant forms attachment. If this attachment is broken or disrupted during the 2 years then it will have irreversible long-term consequences. Failure to develop an attachment and loss or separation from the mother Bowlby called ‘maternal deprivation’. This could result in cognitive, social and emotional problems throughout life. The long term problems could be delinquency, lack of intelligence, depression, increased aggression and attachment disorder (McLeod, 2007). Expanding on the idea that infancy attachment affects adult life Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver looked into the links between infant and caregiver relationship and relationships between romantic partners. The findings from

This is developed from the child’s attachment with their primary care giver and their relationship (McLeod, 2007). It is said to be a vital part in guiding all future close relationships as people with secure or insecure working models show different behaviours towards relationships. Bowlby believed people that have secure internal working models seek support and are also supporting back with new and existing relationships. They behave in an open and positive manner and are more likely to have experienced responsive care giving as an infant in comparison to individuals with an insecure working model. People with an insecure working model anticipate no support and sometimes, even when support is offered they reject it as they feel they are unworthy of it. They tend to not trust people and think negatively (Cassidy and Shaver, 1999,

It is clear if a child fails to form an attachment when younger it has an impact on their whole life. In their younger years if the caregiver doesn’t form an attachment it could impact on their social and cognitive development. For example finding it difficult to for friendships and struggling academically. In their older life it can impact on forming loving relationships and connecting with new people. Parenting styles are important when looking after children as it can have positive and negative affect on the attachments formed. When parenting, a key element is behavior control. Two important elements of this is that it’s a sign of parents attempts to bring the child into the family and it is positive, supportive and motivating for the child. If parents follow this style of parenting then there is a greater chance of the child forming a secure positive attachment to the caregivers. In comparison behavior control can also be negative and lead to confrontation. This could then lead to an insecure attachment forming or not one at