Attachment styles Flashcards
What is attachment theory based on?
- the tendency for humans to form strong bonds with differentiated and preferred others.
- provides them with a secure base: enables the pursuit of non-attachment goals, e.g. exploration
What happens if the attachment figure is unavailable or unresponsive?
- compounded stress occurs
How does an attachment figure provide a ‘safe haven’?
- by providing comfort and alleviation of distress
What are the different attachment styles according to Ainsworth? (based on Bowlby’s theory)
- using the Strange Situation Procedure found:
- secure
- anxious-ambivalent: extremely distressed by their mother but not easily comforted when they come back
- avoidant: not distressed when the mother leaves
- disorganised: oscillate between anxious-ambivalent and avoidant
What does Bowlby say are the internal working models?
- models of self: self as worth or unworthy
- models of others: others as reliable or unreliable
What is the progression of proximity, safe haven and secure base in infancy, early childhood, late childhood/adolescence, adulthood?
Infancy- proximity, SH and SB all to caregiver
Early CH- proximity goes to peers
Late CH/adolescence- proximity and safe have goes to peers/partners
Adulthood- all goes to peers/partner.
What was Bartholomew & Horowitz’s four-category attachment model?
Dichotomised into: - model of self (dependence): positive/negative. - model of others (avoidance): positive/negative. To make up four attachment styles: - secure - anxious - dismissing- avoidant -
What is the secure
- see others as dependable of others; not reliant
- positive view of self
- will seek help when need it, easily reassured
What is the preoccupied/anxious attachment style?
- low self worth (don’t have a high sense of self)
- think they’re not lovable
- see others as dependable and trustworthy
- very dependent on others
- excessive need for reassurance
What is the dismissing-avoidant attachment style characterised by?
- positive model of self
- don’t trust other ppl
- think others are untrustworthy
- self sufficiency; avoidance of intimacy
What is the fearful-avoidant attachment style characterised by?
- negative sense of self
- negative view of others
- sees others as undependable
- they don’t want to go into r/s
- want to be in r/s but can’t
What is the debate of attachment styles as introduced by Brennan, Shaver & Tobey?
- suggests that they may be dimensions, rather than necessarily types
- said that they vary on 2 factors: avoidance/anxiety
What was the stability of attachment patterns over time?
- test-retest showed r=.47 to .70 over 1 week to 25 years
How do we change attachment patterns?
- attachment- relevant experiences that challenges existing working models
(both positive and negative)
How is attachment anxiety related to facets of personality?
- higher on all facets of neuroticism: anxiety, hostility, depression, self-consciousness, vulnerability
How is attaachment avoidance related to personality factors?
- lower levels of extraversion
- higher levels of social anhedonia
- higher neuroticism
(all low in interpersonal factors)
What intrapersonal outcomes relate to psychopathology?
- early familial environment plays a CATALYTIC role in development of environment
- attachment security seen as a GENERAL VULNERABILITY FACTOR (leading to various psychopathology)
- enhancing sense of security leads to improved mental health.
What are the interpersonal outcomes related to r/s satisfaction?
- Secure individuals tend to have longer-lasting r/s with higher levels of satisfaction (may be related to better communication, responsiveness, commitment?)
- avoidance/ dismissive -tend to have less satisfaction (lack of nurturance to the other)
How do secure/anxious/avoidant individuals appraise conflict resolution?
Secure: appraise situation as challenge, constructive, problem-solving
Anxious: appraise situation as threat, fear of rejection, catastrophise
Avoidant: downplay conflict, minimise partner’s concerns, distance self cognitively
How do secure/anxious/avoidant individuals behave with regards to caregiving?
- secure: appropriate, altruistic motive
- anxious: overly dependent, controlling, intrusive
- avoidant: less supportive, lack sensitivity,
How do secure/anxious/avoidance individuals behave with regards to sexuality?
Anxious: engages in sexual activity to feel lovers, avoid rejection and strengthen bond
Avoidant: avoids intimacy, uncommitted sex.
