1. SPECIFICATION:
SPECIFICATION CONTENT SPECIFICATION EXPLAINED
EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATIONS OF HUMAN
REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR:
•The relationship between sexual selection
and human reproductive behaviour
•Sex differences in parental investment:
•Explain what is meant by sexual selection in the
context of human reproductive behaviour
•Describe and evaluate this relationship, using
research studies relevant to human mating
behaviour
•Explain what is meant by parental investment and
how this is linked to sex differences in human
reproductive behaviour.
EFFECTS OF EARLY EXPERIENCE AND
CULTURE ON ADULT RELATIONSHIPS:
•The influence of childhood on
adult relationships,
•The influence of culture on
romantic relationships
•Describe and evaluate material looking
at how childhood affects adult
relationships. BIG link to attachments
here
•Describe and evaluate how
relationships differ between cultures.
(draw comparisons between Western
and Non-Western cultures)

2. Effects of childhood on adult relationships.
• Learning objectives:
1.To recap on AS attachments
2.To investigate the influence of childhood on
adult relationships
3.To put this information into exam format.

3. • On your whiteboards…
• Brainstorm as much as you can remember
on attachments – names, concepts,
theories…..
• ONE minute only!
What do you already know?

4. Early experiences and adult
relationships
Although every childhood is unique, psychologists have identified
persistent themes in childhood experiences that predispose us
towards particular types of relationships as adults.
Think back to your AS attachments topic:
Bowlby – the continuation hypothesis. He stated early relationships
would effect adult relationships. An internal working model is created
Ainsworth – the strange situation tested attachment types
We need to USE these old studies and APPLY them to adult
relationships…..
Hazan and Shafer provide this link for us….
LO 1 – to recap on AS attachments.

5. Attachment style and
relationship behaviour
Attachment style Caregiver and infant
behaviour
Adult behaviour
Secure attachment style. (Type
B)
Caregivers are responsive to
infants needs. Infants trust
caregivers and not afraid of
being abandoned
Develop mature, trusting, long
lasting adult relationships
Anxious/avoidant insecure
attachment style (Type A)
Caregivers are distant and do
not want intimacy with infant.
Infants want to be close but
learn they will be rejected.
Difficulty in trusting others &
developing intimate
relationships
Anxious/resistant insecure
attachment style. (Type C)
Caregivers are consistent and
overbearing in their affection.
Infants are anxious as they
don’t know how the caregiver
will respond
Want to be close to partners but
worry their partners will not
return their affection
Disorganised/disorientated
insecure attachment style.
(Type D)
Infant does not know whether to
approach or avoid the caregiver
when they have been absent.
Mixture of type A & C
Chaotic, insensitive, explosive,
abusive and untrusting even
though they crave security!
Ainsworth and Bell’s findings – self mark your answers to ensure they are correct.

6. To help write an essay on this part of the
specification it is easier if you organise your
thoughts and studies.
Using Flanagan P58 – 59 complete the
template. AO1 has been done for you – read
through this and add to the information. Then
complete the Ao2 and IDAM sections
Note the exam skills A01, A02 and A03.
Note down as many of the IDAM concepts
that you can….
LO 2 – to understand the effect of childhood on adult relationships
LO3 – to apply this knowledge to the exam

7. Use your template to answer this question
. You can use examples of peers but keep it focused on the
question.
Discuss the influence of childhood on adult relationships.
AO1 = 8 marks
AO2/3 = 16 marks
LO 3 – apply knowledge to the exam

8. Discuss the influence of childhood on adult relationships
AO1
• Bowlby (1969)– ‘continuity hypothesis’ ; internal working model can lead to attachment disorder
• Ainsworth and Bell (1971) strange situation (type A, B,C) – attachment style
• Hazan and Shaver (1987) love quiz – early attachment patterns affect adult romantic
relationships: securely attached had happy, lasting relationships in adulthood
• Simpson et al (2007) longitudinal study supports Hazen & Shafer
Interaction with peers also important:
• Qualter and Munn (2005) children learn from their experiences with other children
• Nangle et al (2003) close friendships training ground for important adult relationships
• Harlow – monkeys needed peer interaction to function adequately as an adult monkey
A02 & A03
• Cultural differences - most of the studies based on western cultures. It doesn’t take
into account cultures that bring up children more collectively.
• Could be considered unethical as it puts too much blame on parents.
• Reductionist - It doesn’t take into account any genetic influence.
• Deterministic – having an unhappy childhood will determine a unhappy adult
relationships. It puts too much emphasis on the childhood, people with bad
experiences can be happy latter in life.
• Methods used – observations, longitudinal???
• Sample – students? Representative?
LO 3 – to apply knowledge to exam format

9. Effects of childhood on adult relationships.
• Learning objectives:
1.To recap on AS attachments
2.To investigate the influence of childhood on
adult relationships
3.To put this information into exam format.
TIME IS UP…
What have we learnt?

10. Plenary – pass it on…..
you are first……
•What is Bowlby's continuation hypothesis?
•How can we link in Ainsworth’s strange situation
into adult relationship types?
•Explain 2 concepts that will gain A02 marks
•Explain 2 IDAM points that can be used in this
essay

11. Jan 2013:
Discuss research into the influence of childhood on adult relationships.
AO1 = 8 marks
AO2/3 = 16 marks
LO 3 – apply knowledge to the exam
This will be a TIM essay so make sure you complete this on the
computer.