E-ISSN : 2733-4538
Based on the prototype approach on the adult attachment styles and recent theory for multipliicity of internal working models in an individual, the relationships beween adult attachment prototypes and four components of internal working model, i.e., memory representation of attachment-related experiences, self- and other-representations, interpersonal wishes and needs, and representations of interpersonal coping behaviors and strategies were examined. As a result, there were distinctive and complex correlation patterns between them according to the representation content or hedonic tone and specificity of attachment object and who the objects are. It suggested that there are multiple and multilayered internal working models in an individual that cannot be identified by the categorical approach and researchers must consider within-person variation of attachment style. Theoretical and clinical implications and limitation of this study were discussed.