#continuity hypothesis

The Quantitative Complexity Theory relies on a new, modern approach to correlation – the generalized correlation – which overcomes the well-known problems of mainstream approaches such as Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation. The importance of correlation cannot be overstated. This is because the presence of a correlation imples the existence of a rule and rules are what make things work. By rules…

Modeling Risk and Model-Induced Risk

Models are simplified representations or emulators of reality. They are typically based on empirical data collected conducting experiments. There exist numerous techniques for establishing models based on data. An example of a linear model, built based on 2-dimensional data is illustrated below.

The model in this simple case is a straight line.  It may be used, for example, to compute the…

  Support For Bowlby's InternalWorking Model

Black and Schutte carried out an investigation in 2006 including 205 young adults.

They composed an adult attachment interview in which they measured the feelings about current and previous adult relationships.

They presented the participants with a list of adjectives that described childhood relationships with both parents.

They asked participants for a description of childhood events, such as birthdays and christmas, that illustrated relationships with parents.

This produced rich, qualitative data.

They found a link between the types of childhood and adult relationships.

Those who recalled positive and loving relationships with their mothers were more trusting and more likely to open up to their partners and seek comfort from them.

The who recalled positive relationships with their fathers were more likely to rely on their partners.

There were issues with the validity of information.

Evidence Against The Internal Working Model

Zimmerman carried out a longitudinal study of 44 children.

The attachment type of each child was initially assessed between 12-18 months of age to see how they responded to separation and strangers.

They were reassessed at 16 years old using interviews focusing on relationships with parents.

Zimmerman recorded life events such as parental divorce and deaths within the children's families as they were growing up.

Zimmerman found that childhood attachment type was not a good predictor of attachments in adolescence.

The impact of serious life events, such as parental divorce, was more important.

The study suggests that continuity may only apply when serious life events do not have an impact on the child.

The Minnesota longitudinal study by Sroufe et al. (1999) has followed a cohort of children from the age of twelve months to adolescence. The children were rated throughout their childhood by teachers, trained observers and camp cousellors at special events arranged for the children.  Those children who were rated as being securely attached in infancy were also subsequently rated as being more popular, having more initiative, and being higher in social competence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. In other words, social competence was associated with early attachment style, supporting Bowlby's views of continuity from infancy to adulthood in terms of social development.

McCarthy (1999) also used attachment data from infancy. A group of women were contacted who had been assessed in infancy as insecurely attached. The study recorded their attitudes and experiences of friendships and romantic relationships. Women previously classified as 'avoidant-insecure' were more likely to have romantic problems and those classified as 'resistant-insecure' were more likely to have problems in friendships.

Even though there are positive correlations between early experiences and later social experiences, you may remember that there is an alternative explanation of the internal working model - namely that some infants may simply be better than others at forming relationships. This is known as the temperament hypothesis. Children who are appealing to their parents are also likely to be appealing to other people and this could explain continuity.

Contrary to what most may think, modern dream research reveals that dreams are often mundane, single-minded, and follows a coherent theme throughout its duration. However, dreams reflect waking personality and are reflective of waking mood, which is why some dreamers describe more vivid dreams than others.