The Internal Working Models Concept

What Do We Really Know About the Self in Relation to Others?

Pietromonaco, Paula R.
Barrett, Lisa Feldman

¹Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
²Department of Psychology, Boston College

³Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Paula R. Pietromonaco, Department of Psychology, Tobin Hall, Box 37710, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-7710. Electronic mail may be sent to [email protected].

⁴Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Lisa Feldman Barrett, Department of Psychology, Boston College, 427 McGuinn Hall, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 01246. Electronic mail may be sent to [email protected].

The concept of attachment trajectory was developed in discussions with Wayne Bylsma and John Wall. Preparation of this article was facilitated by National Science Foundation Grant 9727896.

Received Date: March 12, 1999; Revised Date: September 22, 1999; Accepted Date: September 24, 1999

Review of General Psychology 4(2):p 155-175, June 2000.

The internal working models concept is the foundation for understanding how attachment processes operate in adult relationships, yet many questions exist about the precise nature and structure of working models. To clarify the working models concept, the authors evaluate the empirical evidence relevant to the content, structure, operation, and stability of working models in adult relationships. They also identify 4 theoretical issues that are critical for clarifying the properties of working models. These issues focus on the central role of affect and goals in working models, the degree to which working models are individual difference or relational variables, and the definition of attachment relationships and felt security in adulthood.