Internal Working Model
The Internal Working Model refers to a psychological framework or mental representation that individuals develop based on their early interactions and experiences with significant others, particularly their primary caregivers.
The Internal Working Model plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s perceptions, expectations, and behavior in relationships throughout their lifespan. It acts as a cognitive template that influences how they interpret and respond to social interactions, attachment needs, and emotional experiences.
The Internal Working Model is formed during early childhood and continues to evolve and develop through interactions with caregivers and other important figures. These experiences contribute to the construction of mental schemas, beliefs, and expectations about oneself and others, which are stored and utilized in future interactions and relationships.
The Internal Working Model consists of various components, including:
1. Attachment Style: The model incorporates information about an individual’s attachment style, whether it is secure, avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized. This attachment style influences their expectations of receiving care, support, and protection from others.
2. Trust and Security: The model contains beliefs about trust, safety, and security in relationships. It encompasses perceptions of others’ reliability, availability, and responsiveness, which impact an individual’s ability to form and maintain healthy connections.
3. Relationship Patterns: The Internal Working Model incorporates patterns of interactions and relationship dynamics that an individual has experienced or observed. This includes interpersonal behaviors, coping strategies, and emotional regulation skills that are adapted from past relationships.
4. Self-Concept: The model also incorporates an individual’s self-concept, including their beliefs about their self-worth, lovability, and competence in relationships. This self-concept influences how they perceive themselves in relation to others and impacts their approach to forming close bonds.
The Internal Working Model serves as a guide for individuals in navigating and understanding their social environment. It influences their expectations of intimacy, empathy, and support in relationships, as well as their strategies for seeking or avoiding closeness. The Internal Working Model may also contribute to patterns of relationship satisfaction, conflict resolution, and attachment-related anxiety or avoidance.
While the Internal Working Model is formed early in life, it is not static. Through new experiences, therapeutic interventions, and conscious efforts, individuals can modify and update their internal representations, leading to shifts in their relationship patterns and interpersonal functioning. This highlights the importance of promoting secure attachment experiences and providing opportunities for growth and change within relationships.