Adult attachment in relationships Flashcards
what are the 4 main attachment functions/features?
secure base, safe haven, proximity maintenance, separation anxiety
what are the 3 parts of adult pair bond?
attachment, caregiving, sexuality
define internal working models
mental representations/schemas of relationships that guide expectations and behaviour
what is a self internal working model?
am i worthy of love and affection?
what is an other internal working model?
will my caregiver be available and reliable?
what dictates adult relationship style?
nature of experiences with primary caregivers + am i worthy of love and affection + will my caregiver be available and reliable?
how stable are internal working models?
persist over time and applied to new people, but open to revision in light of significant experiences
a negative other-model leads to what level of avoidance?
high
a positive other-model leads to what level of avoidance?
low
describe a high avoidance level
rejecting/neglectful care. no genetic component. suppresses emotions, self-reliance, defensive discomfort with intimacy
a negative self-model leads to what level of anxiety?
high
a positive self-model leads to what level of anxiety?
low
describe a high anxiety level
inconsistent/overprotective care. 40% heritable. clingy, fear abandonment, difficulty regulating emotions
negative self-model and negative other-model lead to what kind of attachment?
fearful avodiant
negative self-model and positive other model lead to what kind of attachment?
preoccupied
positive other-model and positive self-model lead what kind fo attachment?
secure
positive self-model and negative other-model lead to what kind of attachment?
dismissing avoidant
describe a study measuring attachment system activation in adulthood
Mikulincer, Gillath & Shaver (2002) lexical decision task. threat: faster RTs t attachment figure names
describe the results for attachment anxiety in the Mikulincer, Gillath & Shaver (2002) study
faster RTs to attachment figure names in general (hyperactivation)
describe the results for attachment avoidance in the Mikulincer, Gillath & Shaver (2002) study
slower RTs after ‘separation’ threat (deactivation)
what are the two different parts of global/default models?
parents and peers
what are the two different parts of peer models?
friends and romantic partners
what are the two different parts of romantic partner models?
ex and partner
what big 5 trait relates most to high anxiety (preoccupied or fearful avoidant type)?
neuroticism
what big 5 trait relates most to a dismissing avoidant attachment style?
higher openness
what big 5 trait relates most to a secure attachment style?
higher extraversion, conscientiousness and agreeableness
what big 5 trait relates to low avoidance (preoccupied or secure)?
higher agreeableness
with a secure attachment, how is affect regulated?
there is an inner resource for regulating affect. they can seek support when needed
with an avoidant attachment, how is affect regulated?
suppresses emotional experience and expression (eg. Sadikaj et al, 2011). cope using interpersonal distance and self-reliance. self-esteem may depend on being independent
with an anxious attachment, how is affect regulated?
experience and express emotions intensely (eg. Sadikaj et al., 2011). cope using interpersonal closeness and dependence. self-esteem unstable, may depend on approval/affection from others
describe Sadikaj’s 2011 study
attachment questionnaire (anxiety and avoidance scores). reported every social interaction >5 min for 20 days. how others behaved (agency + communion), positive and negative affect
describe the results of Sadikaj’s 2001 study
positive affect: no main effects of attachment. stronger in interactions with romantic partners. remind sig when the big 5 was controlled.
what are some mental health issues that can come with an avoidant attachment type?
eating disorders (restrictive) and depression (over-reliance on self)
what are some mental health issues that can come with an anxious attachment type?
anxiety disorders, eating disorders (bingeing), depression (over reliance on others), borderline personality disorder
what are the effects of an avoidant attachment style in terms of romantic relationships?
less likely to get involved and less self disclosure and emotional expression. low support seeking, and less sensitive support given. less satisfied, committed and trusting. linked to ludus love style.
describe Simpson, Rholes & Helligan’s 1992 study
attachment questionnaire (anxiety and avoidance cscores). female participant taken to waiting room, joined by partner, left alone for 5 mins
describe the results of Simpson, Rholes & Helligan’s 1992 study
attachment anxiety was unrelated to support-seeking. as observed fear increases, secure women showed more support seeking, but more avoidant-women showed less support seeking
what are the effects of an anxious attachment style in terms of romantic relationships?
commit quickly. compulsive (not sensitive) caregiving. interpret behaviour negatively. more jealousy and conflict due to chronic need for intimacy and excessive reassurance seeking. linked to mania love style
is attachment theory evolutionarily adaptive?
insecure strategies develop to maximise protections and survival in infancy (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007)
is social defence theory evolutionarily adaptive?
adaptive for groups to include insecure as well as secure members to deal with threat. anxiety = faster threat detection. avoidance = faster action/
how does anxious attachment style change with age?
decreases
how does avoidant attachment style change?
lower when in a long-term relationship. causality?
how do security levels change?
decrease after a break up but increase across the transition to motherhood
what is the effect of security being primed subliminally?
activates secure base representations. reduces state insecurity, influence info processing - Mikulincer et al., 2001
