University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1999 Effects of respectful parenting in early childhood on young adults' attachment style and approach to information processing: Implications for latent inhibition contingency perception and behavioral adjustment Tami M. Eldridge The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Eldridge, Tami M., "Effects of respectful parenting in early childhood on young adults' attachment style and approach to information processing: Implications for latent inhibition contingency perception and behavioral adjustment" (1999). 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Effects o f Respectful Parenting in Early Childhood on Young Adults' Attachment Style and Approach to Information Processing: Implications for Latent Inhibition, Contingency Perception and Behavioral Adjustment by Tami M. Eldridge B.A., The University o f Montana, 1987 M.A.. The University of Montana. 1990 M.A., The University of Montana. 1993 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Montana 1999 Appro vi iers Dean, Graduate School 6 ? - z I - 9^ Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9937664 Copyright 199 9 by Eldridge, Tami M. All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9937664 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. May 10, 1999 Effects of Respectful Parenting in Early Childhood on Young Adults’ Attachment Style and Approach to Information-Processing: Implications for Latent Inhibition, Contingency Perception, and Behavioral Adjustmer" Director: David Schuldberg, Ph.D. This study examines whether a high level o f parental “respect” toward children, retrospectively assessed through the self-reports of young adult subjects, is associated with attachment security and other positive outcomes in the subjects’ functioning. It is predicted that individuals who have experienced higher levels of respect, operationalized as reports of predominantly having been parented in an authoritative manner and self­ endorsements of secure attachment, will exhibit differences in their responses to tests o f Latent inhibition and Contingency Perception that are consistent with a more efficient style of information processing, as compared with subjects who reported being reared in a parental environment characterized by lower levels of respect. In addition, subjects who report having experienced high parental respect are predicted to report a more self­ controlled, internally-driven pattern of interaction with the environment that suggests generally more positive behavioral adjustment. A theory regarding the possible etiology of the hypothesized differences in developmental outcomes is proposed, incorporating sociobiological, behavioral, and psychodynamic principles. The study yields evidence that parenting style and attachment security may indeed be influential in shaping aspects of attention, information-processing and behavioral adjustment. Significant differences in Latent Inhibition as a function of Parenting/ Attachment group membership do not emerge, but there are indications that individuals who report having been reared in a lower respect parenting environment may be more hypervigilant to novel stimuli; these individuals also report significantly more symptoms o f Adult ADHD. A post-hoc Analysis of Variance based on an alternative split of the sample shows classic LI deficiencies in individuals reporting high levels of ADHD symptoms, as compared with individuals reporting low levels o f symptoms. This supports the link between LI and behavioral manifestations of attentional processes. Implications of this research for better understanding the influence of environmental factors on attentional dysfunction and behavioral maladjustment are considered. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table o f Contents Title page ................................................................................................................................... 1 Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract....................................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Parental Respect for Children ................................................................................ 7 Attachment .............................................................................................................9 Attention and Information-Processing .............................................................. 10 Latent Inhibition .....................................................................................................12 Parental Respect as a Possible Resiliency Factor ........................................................14 Research Design ........................................................................................................... 16 Order of Presentation ........................................................................................... 18 CHAPTER 2: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTAL CORRELATES OF EARLY RESPECT Attachment and Psychopathology ................................................................................20 Attachment Theory ..............................................................................................19 Attachment in Infancy .........................................................................................25 Correlates of Attachment Organization ..............................................................28 Social Behavior ............................................................................................. 28 Cognitive Development ................................................................................31 Attachment in Adolescence and Adulthood ..................................................... 35 Moderating Factors in the Early Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Development . 39 Perceived Parenting Style, Behavioral Adjustment and Psychopathology . 39 Environmental Adversity .................................................................................... 44 Information