Attachment in close relationships Flashcards
What is attachment?
Bowlby, 1969
An intimate emotional bond to a particular individual who is seen as providing protection, comfort, and support
What is the attachment theory?
Attachment = first studied in children by Bowlbu
Observed infant/ caregiver relationships.
Attachment system = form bonds w/ others + become distressed if they are unavailable
What is the evolutionary function of the attachment system?
Keep caregivers close to infants
What are the functions linked to the normative attachment processes?
Proximity maintenance
Safe haven
Secure base
What is proximity maintenance?
Staying near + resisting separations
What is safe haven?
Turning to for comfort, support + reassurance
What is secure base?
Using as a base from which to engage in non-attachment bhvr
How do individual differences affect attachment?
Bowlby (1969) + Hazan & Shaver (1987)
Early childhood = learn what to expect from others
Develop beliefs + expectations about others (how responsive to our needs) + self (if we are worthy of love)
Beliefs influence thoughts, feelings + bhvr in relationships
How do we assess attachment in adults?
Fraley et al (2011) = use 2 dimensions
1st dimension = low anxiety - high anxiety
2nd dimension = low avoidance - high avoidance
Continuous, can help categorise people
Is responsive caregiving important?
Yes but not all caregivers are responsive
What is a secure attachment?
Fraley et al. (2011) = low anxiety + low avoidance in people’s relationships. No fear of abandonment + comfortable w/ closeness
Learned proximity-seeking = support, protection + relief of distress. Tend to have more stable, enjoyable + satisfying relationships.
Turn to others when distress, believes distress = manageable.
What is dismissive-avoidant attachment?
Fraley et al. (2011) = low anxiety + high avoidance. Independent, no fear of abandonment but, has issues w/ closeness/ trusting
Values self-reliance/ independence = avoids support seeking when distressed. Relationships lack intimacy bc keeps partners at distance.
Expects relationship failure = commitment avoidance. Feels higher levels of attraction w/ potential romantic alternative + feel relief after break ups.
What is anxious-preoccupied attachment?
Fraley et al. (2011) = low avoidance + high anxiety. Don’t need independence, high fear of abandonment.
Hyperalert about loss + rejection (signs partner will leave them). When distressed = excessive reliance on others + demands closeness, attention + approval.
Intrusive, demanding + overly disclosing. Have a hard time getting over break ups.
What is fearful-avoidant attachments?
Fraley et al. (2011) = high anxiety + high avoidance. Fears abandonment + difficulty w/ closeness. Hypersensitive to potential hurt + rejection.
High avoidance = withdraws when upset, avoid coping w/ the help of others.
Poor personal + social adjustment. They have difficulty expressing feelings.
Can attachment styles be changed?
Early attachment researchers (Bowlby) = No. ‘cradle to grave’
Hadiwijaya et al. (2020) = attachment style stables over time (especially secure attachment) from child to adult, to romantic bonds.
BUT new experiences mater, for better/ worse:
Fraley et al. (2019) = break ups and new (good) relationships
Chopin et al. (2019) = attachments become more secure w/ age
