Psychology

Psychology
QUESTION TITLE –
Does dysfunctional attachment inevitably lead to dysfunctional adolescents? Critically evaluate recent
literature in answering this question.

GENERAL TIPS –
1. Don’t make a point unless it can be backed up with recent (from year 2000 onwards) scientific
evidence.
HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION-
INTRODUCTION:

– Should explain what the essay is going to do, how it is going to do it, and note the key areas going
to be discussed.
– Key terms (dysfunctional attachment and dysfunctional adolescents) should also be defined here.
– Keep this brief as possible.

MAIN BODY:

1. Introduce the basics of attachment theory with scientific evidence. Explain why it is suggested
dysfunctional attachment could lead to dysfunctional adolescents using recent scientific evidence.

2. Explain 2 different reasons why dysfunctional attachment does inevitably lead to dysfunctional
adolescents.
– Each reason needs to be explained in the following format:
(a) Point – state the point
(b) Evidence – use recent scientific studies to advance on older studies.
(c) Explanation – explain what the evidence means in terms of question, and use other pieces of
scientific evidence to support such evidence.
(d) Speculation – add critical comments about evidence in relation to question and discuss the term
‘inevitably’ in relation to each individual point.

3. Explain 2 different reasons why dysfunctional attachment doesn’t inevitably lead to dysfunctional
adolescents.
– Each reason needs to be explained in the following format:
(a) Point – state the point
(b) Evidence – use recent scientific studies to advance on older studies.
(c) Explanation – explain what the evidence means in terms of question, and use other pieces of
scientific evidence to support such evidence.
(d) Speculation – add critical comments about evidence in relation to question and discuss the term
‘inevitably’ in relation to each individual point.

4. Conclusion.
– Explain what the essay has done, how it has done this (through the use of empirical scientific
studies), and what key areas have been analysed to do so.
– State both arguments both for and against the inevitability of dysfunctional adolescents as a result
of dysfunctional attachment have been made, and add a brief comment as to which argument has more
scientific evidence supporting it.
– Add a brief comment as to what further studies could do to further the knowledge we have regarding
this area of study.