Attachment Theory: Attachment Theory And Romantic Relationships
Attachment theory and romantic relationship
The most salient person variable with regards to interpersonal relationships is the contact of attachment style, which is theoretically grounded in Bowlby's attachment theory. Attachment theory posits that when an infant is separated from the primary caregiver or attachment figure (usually the mother). A set of behaviors will ensue which serve the function of regaining proximity to the caregiver. This is known as the separation protest behavioral system (Bowlby, 1973). Separation protest is unique to attachment relationships. In that only where an attachment is present will the separation protest behaviors ensue (Bowlby, 1973, 1980, 1982).Attachment theory is grounded in evolutionary psychology,
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Moreover, Hazan and Shaver (1987, 2004) demonstrated that the same infant attachment styles occur in adulthood in relation to one's romantic partner, and that romantic love can be conceptualized as an attachment process (a process of becoming attached). They also found that love is experienced differently according to one's adult attachment style. Securely attached adults find closeness in romantic relationships easy and comfortable and depend on partners without fear of abandonment. Anxious/ambivalent adults often found that partners are hesitant to become as close as they would like them to and have strong desires for merger and union often scaring potential partner away. Avoidant adults are uncomfortable with closeness, trusting partners difficult and are uncomfortable with intimacy. Based on attachment theory, Kobak and Sceery (1 988) postulated that one’s history of regulating distress (i.e., coping) with childhood attachment figures will also carry over into adulthood. Infant separations from the attachment figure (mother) can be viewed as the first experience of coping with stress. If the childhood attachment figure has been responsive (secure), then distress can be regulated with active seeking of comfort and support if the attachment figures are not always responsive (anxious/ambivalent, avoidant), then other ways of coping must be used. Secure individuals because of their positive attachment history, effectively regulates negative affect; they acknowledge distress and turn to others for support in times of need. Insecure individuals (avoidant. anxious/ambivalent) on the other hand will use less than optimal means of affect regulation. Specifically, avoidant individuals will cut off anger and distress related symptoms: they won't acknowledge distress and won't attempt to seek support and comfort
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1639 Words | 7 PagesI can personally relate to this idea because my cognitive, emotional, and social development was influenced by the intimate attachments I had with my parents; the people who responded to my needs with love. When I was seven years old, I ran straight to my mother after I tripped over and broke my arm. My mother comforted me and took me to the doctors, positively responding to my needs. This meant that I felt protected when my parents were within close proximity and I could take risks and explore my environment, allowing me to learn how to relate to others in society (Drewery & Claiborne, 2014). The attachment theory is relevant to my life because the intimate attachments I had with my parents have meant that I have had little cognitive, emotional, and social developmental difficulties, turning me into a secure individual who can function positively into society (McLeod,
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823 Words | 4 PagesThe following paper is given to discuss the attachment styles from the experts by how it was developed, while making note off the theorist whom played a part in developing the theory. This paper will also be discussing the impact the of attachment styles; secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful-avoidant. There will be personal experiences given throughout the paper to further the illustrate the attachment theory. Finally, there will be a contrast on the perspective of the opposing sides when it comes to the durability of the styles. Attachment theory is an evolutionary, ethological, and psychological theory which gives individuals the explanatory and descriptive framework of understanding the interpersonal relationship between individuals in society.
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1835 Words | 8 PagesThis causes suspicions about whether attachment theory is valid across diverse cultures. In this paper, I will present a literature review of four cross-cultural research to examine the universality of attachment theory. These four research were carried out in Euro-Western and non-Western countries, and they focused mainly on universality hypothesis of the attachment
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110 Words | 1 PagesAinsworth’s descriptions of attachment were found to be related to relationship development. Specifically, adults with avoidant tendencies tend to be relatively uninterested in romantic relationships, have a higher breakup rate than secure adults (Shaver & Brennan, 1992), and grieve less after a breakup (Simpson, 1990). Anxious adults are obsessed with their romantic partners and form extreme jealousy (Collins, 1996; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Relationships with a partner who has an anxious attachment have a higher rate for breakups as well.
Hazan And Shaver's Theory Of Attachment Theory
305 Words | 2 PagesCindy Hazan and Philip Shaver in 1980 were able to move the theory of attachment and children into developed theories of attachment on adulthood relationships. They found that even in cases of adults a strong attachment is still very important, Hazan and Shaver (1980) concluded that a balance intimacy with independence within a relationship is best, if the attachment was too strong both parties would be over dependent, and if the attachment was weak there would be a lack of intimacy with feeing of inadequacy (Hazan and Shaver, 1980). Many past findings have suggested that secure attachment is related to high levels of self-esteem; such is found evident in Wilkinson (2004) research about the role of parental and peer attachment in the psychological
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186 Words | 1 PagesMoreover, it is commonly acknowledged that attachment relationships are important for learning emotion regulation skills. Thus, a poor attachment relationship might lead to deprivation/lack of these skills. So why have not these three areas been combined more frequently? While securely attached individuals are likely to use problem solving or social support seeking, insecurely attached individuals might instead turn to self-harm or substance abuse (Kimball & Diddams, 2007). The lack of adaptive emotion regulation skills might lead the individual to feel unable to handle complex and abstract emotions, such as stress and anxiety.
Attachment Theory In The 1940s And 1950's
1463 Words | 6 PagesThe term "attachment theory" refers to a psychological framework that describes the nature of interpersonal attachment in different attachment styles. It was created by British psychiatrist and psychologist John Bowlby and subsequently developed by developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth. According to the hypothesis, ties with parents and other significant caregivers throughout early childhood have a lasting impact on how people behave in future relationships throughout their lives. In the 1940s and 1950s, when Bowlby observed the adverse effects of maternal deprivation on infants and was influenced by Konrad Lorenz's ethological views, Bowlby first developed his thoughts regarding attachment. Bowlby felt that a child's survival depended
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499 Words | 2 PagesTheories from Psychology social work draws on most ‘lecture explained that attachment Theory was developed by Bowlby as a framework for explaining the way humans interact with each other and the importance of relationships with a sense of ‘secure attachment’ particularly when the individual is exposed to stressful situations or where they feel threatened and seek a secure base. A very direct connection between attachment theory and Australia’s treatment of refugees comes in the treatment of
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307 Words | 2 PagesAlthough we are studying theories, some of them appear to explain human behavior and personality with certain accuracy. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth theories of attachment can also explain what happens to people when attachment to their parents or caregivers is healthy or potential problems that could occur due to detachments. They suggest that individuals raised with secure attachments to their primary caregivers help them to feel secure; moreover, these children appear to be more socially skilled and less likely to experience major emotional disturbances. However, failure to form healthy attachments, especially mother-child, could serve as a descriptive mechanism for many negative psychological outcomes later in the life of an individual,
Bowlby Attachment Theory Essay
890 Words | 4 PagesOne of the main theories in Developmental psychology is the attachment theory that was devised by Bowlby (1969) and was added to in 1973, by Mary Ainsworth. The attachment theory surrounds the bond between a primary care giver and a baby. They believe that attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space. In 1930 Bowlby worked as a psychiatrist in a children’s unit, where he treated many emotionally disturbed children, this lead him to consider the relationship between mother and child and the impact that could have on the child’s development. Bowlby believed that the attachment process was an all or nothing process and that you either were attached or were not attached.
Paul Bernardo's Application Of Attachment Theory
748 Words | 3 PagesWhat is the attachment theory? , The attachment theory is a
Ainsworth Attachment Theory
554 Words | 3 PagesThis research gives to wonder, are we doing harm when sending our young children to the sitter or school expecting them to act like they don't care when we leave? The other alternative? A bunch of crying, clinging children with separation anxieties being brought up in society. In the argument nurture vs. nature, both of these scientists have shown that nature needs nurture and that attachment is a product of
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1810 Words | 8 PagesThe attachment style which is carried from childhood continues to affect future adult romantic relationships, often it can be changed especially when one enters a romantic
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785 Words | 4 PagesOverview of Attachment Theory Attachment theory tries to describe the evolution of personality and behaviour in relationships and it gives a reason for the difference in a person’s emotional and relationship attitudes. In the beginning, it looked at the mechanics of relationships between children and their parents but it has since been expanded to cover the entire life of the human being (Howe, 2000). Attachment theory includes insights learned from evolutionary theory, ethology, systems theory and developmental psychology (Howe, 2001).
Conceptual Framework Of Attachment Theory
1214 Words | 5 PagesAt the point when people have parental figures that are outspokenly responsive, they are prone to build up a secure attachment and a constructive inner working model of self as well as other people. Presently, the adult attachment could be portrayed as far as two measurements, adult attachment uneasiness, and adult attachment evasion (Ringer, et al., 2014). Furthermore, the adult attachment tension is conceptualised as the apprehension of interpersonal dismissal and deserting, unreasonable requirements for endorsement from others, antagonistic perspective of self, and hyper-enactment of influence regulation systems in which the individual over-responds to contrary emotions as an intend to pick up others' solace and backing. Then again, grown-up attachment evasion is portrayed by apprehension of closeness, intemperate requirement for confidence, hesitance for self-divulgence, pessimistic perspective of others+, and deactivation of influence regulation system in which the individual tries to dodge negative sentiments or pull back from personal connections (Berry, et al.,
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