PSYA3 Effects of Early Experience on Relationships AQA

What are 'horizontal relationships? And what do they help young children to develop? 

Relationships between people of equal knowledge and power. E.g, piers, friends.

Helps young children to practice 'social competence, relationship skills and abilities.

What are the major characteristics of secure children in terms of interaction with peers? 

What are some studies into secure children? 

• Secure=More confident in interaction with friends
• Waters et al- 'secure children go on to be more socially skilled in friendship than insecures.
• Hartup et al- 'secure children more popular at nursery school, engage in more social interaction with others.

What are the major characteristics of insecure children in terms of interaction with peers? 

What are some studies into insecure children? 

• Sroufe & Fleeson-Insecure children are more reliant on teachers for interaction and emotional support.
• Hartup et al- Insecure Ambivalants struggle more with peers. 
• Lyons-Ruth et al- attachment types at 15months is the best predictor of problematic relationships with peers in 5 year olds. 

Outline 2 studies into attachment types in adolescent relationships.

Moore: study using 100 14-15 year olds.  

Measured adult attachments in adult attachment interview, asked a close friend to rate their behaviour for social acceptability.

Findings: Secure Attachments: less likely to engage in risky sex, more like to have had it. Secure attachments help set up teens to handle the transition to adult relationships.

Feeney & Noller: Examined the link between attachments and relationship breakdown on 193 students.

Insecure Avoidants: More likely to split up.

Attachment types change as relationships change from casual to commited.