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Internal working model of attachment
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<p>Internal working model of attachment is a psychological approach that attempts to describe the development of mental representations, specifically the worthiness of the self and expectations of others' reactions to the self. This model is a result of interactions with primary caregivers which become internalized, and is therefore an automatic process. <a href="/facts/John_Bowlby/nN4T411P">John Bowlby</a> implemented this model in his attachment theory in order to explain how infants act in accordance with these mental representations. It is an important aspect of general <a href="/facts/Attachment_theory/8jpCPkWH">attachment theory</a>. </p><p>Such internal working models guide future behavior as they generate expectations of how attachment figures will respond to one's behavior. For example, a parent rejecting the child's need for care conveys that close relationships should be avoided in general, resulting in maladaptive attachment styles. </p>