Oct 3 Flashcards

1
Q

attachment theory

A

influential framework for understanding the emotional bonds we form with our closest others

experiences we have with our closest others (typically child parent beginning in infancy) shape our social & emotional development and future relationships

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2
Q

2 components to attachment theory

A
  1. normative development & functioning of the attachment system

^universal, present in all people

  1. individual differences in how the attachment system operates
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3
Q

behaviourist perspective on love

A

argues that all human and animal behaviour can be explained in terms of CONDITIONING

(associations made between two events)

thoughts and feelings are seen as irrelevant

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4
Q

when did school of behaviourism dominate?

A

dominated thinking and research in psychology

for first half of 20th century

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5
Q

Gordon Allport quote on behaviourism and psychology circa 1950

A

“a flight from tenderness”

ignoring fundamental human experiences like love and tenderness

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6
Q

behaviourism: why do infants cling to their moms?

A

because they’ve come to associate the mother with FOOD and OTHER MATERIAL REWARDS

but how to explain the lifelong, unrelenting persistence of love?

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7
Q

harry harlow challenged…

A

the behaviourist perspective which prevailed at the time

thought we should scientifically study LOVE and AFFECTION

point of departure for the study of love

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8
Q

what was the point of departure for the study of love?

A

Harry Harlow’s study of the affectionate bond of a child for its mother

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9
Q

harlow monkeys: surrogate mother as source of security

A

faced with novel, fear-producing situations, infants PREFER to cling to the CLOTH, not the wire lactating surrogate

use her as a SECURE BASE for exploration

high levels of distress in unfamiliar situations when cloth mother absent

having wire mother present doesn’t help

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10
Q

revolutionizing childcare

A

with emerging understanding of germs, utmost priority was placed on SANITATION and CLEANLINESS

  • cuddling babies seen as UNHYGIENIC & DANGEROUS

despite greatly improved sanitary conditions in orphanages and hospitals, MORTALITY and MORBIDITY rates for young children was stubbornly high

as was development of MENTAL HEALTH issues

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11
Q

behaviourist perspective on childcare

A

childcare viewed in terms of “training”, “stimuli” and “conditioned responses”

  • picking up a crying baby is conditioning them to be whiny
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12
Q

Jhn Watson (behaviourist) thoughts on maternal affection

A

that it’s dangerous

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13
Q

john bowlby’s attachment theory

A

observations of homeless children

warm, intimate and continuing relationship with the mother (or another caregiver) is ESSENTIAL for healthy child development

took EVOLUTIONARY perspective

^ infants can’t survive without caregiver to protect them from harm - some MECHANISM must be in place to KEEP INFANTS CLOSE to caregivers

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14
Q

john bowlby proposed that all humans are born with…

A

an ATTACHMENT BEHAVIOURAL SYSTEM

conceptualized attachment behavioural system as akin to a control system

like a THERMOSTAT regulating room temp - but instead of temp, it regulates SAFETY

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15
Q

what does the attachment behavioural system regulate?

A

safety

  1. comparison to set point
  2. controller
  3. sensor

a. error

b. feedback

c. input

d. feedback

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16
Q

attachment behavioural system is composed of…

A

proximity seeking behaviours

they are triggered when caregiver leaves - feeling of danger

and then they evaporate when person feels secure again

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17
Q

john bowlby’s attachment theory (1969) in a nutshell

A

posits the existence of a universal, evolved biobehavioural system (attachment system)

that motivates maintenance of proximity to caregivers (attachment figures)

in infancy/childhood, thus promoting survival

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18
Q

attachment figure hallmarks

A
  1. proximity seeking
  2. safe haven
  3. secure base
  4. separation distress
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19
Q

proximity seeking

A

attachment figure is the person you go to

esp when in need/distress

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20
Q

safe haven

A

attachment figure provides protection, comfort, support

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21
Q

secure base

A

attachment figure allows one to pursue non-attachment goals in safe environment

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22
Q

separation distress

A

actual/expected separation from attachment figure evokes strong feelings of distress

defining feature of attachment relationship

we’re drawn to our attachment figures not only by the REWARDs of their company, but by the PAIN of SEPARATION from them

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23
Q

response to separation

A
  1. PROTEST
    - acute distress, desperate attempts to re-establish contact
    - crying, clinging, calling, searching
    - generally rejecting of contact with others
  2. DESPAIR
    - preoccupation with caregiver still evident
    - depressed mood
    - hopeless/withdrawn
  3. DETACHMENT
    - may begin to show interest in other things/people
    - often appears listless & apathetic if reunited with caregiver
    - may exhibit anger
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24
Q

Mary Ainsworth

A

colleague of Bowlby

made crucial psychometric and empirical contributions

put the theory to the test

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25
Mary Ainsworth was concerned not only with...
WHETHER children were attached but also with: 1. HOW they were attached 2. the MATERNAL FACTORS that predicted this
26
resistant/ambivalent response in strange situation
1. clingy baby 2. highly distressed by mom's departure 3. continues to cry and exhibit distress when contact is restored 4. contradictory behaviour toward mother (tries to get close, but sometimes shows anger/resistance) 5. no interest in exploration, not able to use mom as secure base
27
avoidant response in strange situation
1. sullen baby 2. appears indifferent to mother upon her return 3. may play with toys but doesn't actively involve mom as secure babies do 4. further research identified signs of distress (elevated heart rate)
28
prevalence: madigan et al meta-analysis
meta-analysis of the first 20 000 strange situation procedures 51.6% secure 14.7% avoidance 10.2% resistant/ambivalent 23.5% disorganized (lack of coherent attachment style)
29
antecedents of secure pattern
history of positive interactions with a responsive caregiver 1. bids for proximity and reassurance = sensitively & consistently attended to 2. learns that primary attachment strategy (seeking proximity to caregiver when in distress) is safe and effective 3. can bravely explore world because mom will be there if trouble arises
30
antecedents of insecure pattern
stems from deficits in caregiving specific differences for avoidant and anxious/ambivalent
31
antecedents of anxious/ambivalent pattern
caregiver is INCONSISTENT leads to HYPERACTIVATION of attachment system ie. if I ramp up my bids for proximity, maybe caregiver will respond
32
antecedents of avoidant pattern
caregiver is REJECTING, discourages closeness leafs to DEACTIVATION of attachment system ie. if I don't come off as too needy, maybe the caregiver won't reject me
33
internal working models
through attachment interactions, develop SCHEMAS or INTERNAL WORKING MODELS of: 1. themselves 2. attachment figures 3. attachment relationships
34
"working" component of internal working models
"working": - allows them to STIMULATE/PREDICT likely outcomes of attachment behaviours - provisional/subject to UPGRADING
35
internal working models include...
1. specific AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIES 2. GENERALIZED BELIEFS about oneself, attachment figures & close relationships 3. PROCEDURAL KNOWLEDGE (how to regulate emotions & behave in close relationships)
36
2 models within internal working models
1. MODELS OF OTHERS - representations of attachment figures' responses - "can others be relied on?" 2. MODELS OF SELF - reps of one's own efficacy - "am I lovable?"
37
internal working models organize...
ORGANIZE attachment knowledge
38
internal working models guide...
GUIDE subsequent interactions with attachment figures as well as other people
39
internal working models bias...
BIAS the way we interpret info & ENCODE it into memory "tolerably accurate reflections of what actually happened" - Bowlby
40
attachment beyond childhood
Bowlby: the attachment system REMAINS ACTIVE "from the cradle to the grave" "to remain within easy access of a familiar individual known to be willing and able to come to our aid in an emergency is clearly good insurance policy - whatever our age"
41
airport study - proximity seeking
proximity seeking under threat ie. couple separating in airport more likely to maintain physical contact (mutual gaze, touching, talking intently) if securely attached
42
separation distress past childhood
experience intense anger, anxiety, sadness in response to actual or perceived threats to close relationships bereavement is a universally painful experience
43
safe haven past childhood
mere presence of a close relationship partner can alleviate distress in the lab and real life
44
secure base past childhood
when Ps perceive romantic partners as more supportive, report greater sense of independence, self-efficacy, more autonomous goal exploration, more likely to achieve goals
45
differences in adulthood to childhood attachment
1. individuals OTHER THAN PARENTs take role of attachment figures (romantic partners, close friends) 2. PSYCHOLOGICAL (not just physical) proximity 3. THRESHOLD for attachment system activation is HIGHER 4. become more capable of SELF-SOOTHING (internalized positive self-reps) 5. MUTUALITY (care seeking AND caregiving) 6. SEXUALITY
46
3 categories percentages - attachment in adults
similar patterns of attachment in adults as in children 3 category traditional measure: 56% secure 19% anxious 25% avoidant later distinguished between DISMISSING and FEARFUL avoidant types
47
3 category traditional model later changed...
to distinguish between dismissing and fearful avoidant types dismissing: high avoidance, LOW ANXIETY fearful: high avoidance, HIGH ANXIETY 1. secure 2. dismissing 3. fearful 4. preoccupied
48
secure person thought process
"it's easy for me to become emotionally close to others. I'm comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don't worry about being alone or having others not accept me" low anxiety, low avoidance
49
preoccupied person thought process
"I want to be completely emotionally intimate with others, but I often find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I'm uncomfortable being without close relationships, but I sometimes worry that others don't value me as much as I value them" high anxiety, low avoidance
50
fearful person thought process
"I'm uncomfortable getting close to others. I want emotionally close relationships, but I find it difficult to trust others completely or to depend on them. I worry that I will be hurt if I allow myself to become too close to others" high avoidance, high anxiety
51
dismissing person thought process
"I'm comfortable without close emotional relationships. It's very important to me to feel independent and self-sufficient, and I prefer not to depend on others or have others depend on me" high avoidance, low anxiety
52
behavioural assessment
adult attachment interview 1. discuss relationship with parents 2. choose adjectives that describe them 3. justify choices 4. speculate about parent's behaviour
53
adult attachment interview - what are we interested in?
1. CONTENT of answers 2. also HOW individual discusses these experiences try to infer STATE OF MIND relative to attachment - are answers (IN)COHERENT? (IN)CONSISTENT? - are there signs of EMOTIONAL DISORGANIZATION?
54
secure - adult attachment interview
BALANCED, REALISTIC view of early relationships see attachment experiences as valuable & influential open, direct & co-operative in their disclosure don't idealize or villainize their parents
55
dismissing - adult attachment interview
DISCOMFORT discussing childhood experiences unsubstantial attempts to IDEALIZE or put positive SPIN on negative experiences DENY influence of early attachment relationships ^ claim early experiences don't significantly affect them anymore
56
preoccupied - adult attachment interview
seem ANXIOUS and/or ANGRY appear STILL ENMESHED with these early LONG-WINDED, signs of confusion & inconsistency struggled to provide a coherent narrative
57
statistical analysis suggests that attachment is best characterized by...
DIMENSIONS rather than types typological measures can't account for VARIATION among people WITHIN a category and such variation is important ie. people on dimensions may be very close by, but placed in different categories because of type division
58
later measures like the Experiences in Close Relationships scale...
measure attachment on TWO CONTINUOUS DIMENSIONS 1. anxiety 2. avoidance
59
experiences in close relationships scale: anxiety
items tap into: 1. FEAR of REJECTION & ABANDONMENT 2. exaggerated desire for CLOSENESS
60
experiences in close relationships scale: avoidance
items tap into: 1. discomfort with closeness 2. emotional suppression
61
experiences in close relationships scale: anxiety subscale examples
i worry about being rejected or abandoned my desire to be very close sometimes scares people away i resent it when my relationship partners spend time away from me if i can't get a relationship partner to show interest in me, I get upset or angry
62
experiences in close relationships scale: avoidance subscale examples
I prefer not to show others how I feel deep down just when someone starts to get close to me, I find myself pulling away I try to avoid getting too close to otheers I don't feel comfortable opening up to others
63
if attachment figure isn't available when attachment system is activated, what happens?
two options 1. hyperactivating strategies - occurs when proximity seeking may be a viable option - anxious-ambivalent 2. deactivating strategies - when proximity seeking isn't a viable option
64
threat appraisals
first phase of of control-system model of attachment: threat monitoring & appraisal a. internal (thoughts) or external events b. physical or psychological threats c. attachment-related or attachment-unrelated INDIVIDUAL DIFFS in threat detection and appraisal
65
anxious attachment - hyperactivating strategies
1. heightened vigilance for possible threats 2. exaggerated appraisals of threats (catastrophizing) 3. rumination, difficulty disengaging from emotional hurt and negativity 4. highly accessible negative emotional memories
66
attributions: Ps presented with vignettes depicting potentially negative partner behaviour
ie. "your partner wanted to spend the evening by themselves" individuals higher in ATTACHMENT ANXIETY: 1. more likely to make RELATIONSHIP-THREATENING attributions 2. reported GREATER DISTRESS ie. "my partner's losing interest in me" versus "my partner's tired and just needs time to relax at home"
67
lab study: perceptions of conflict
dating couples participated in conflict discussions in the lab ANXIOUSLY ATTACHED individuals reported more: 1. STRESS and ANXIETY 2. saw partners and relationship LESS POSITIVELY after interaction
68
lab study: perceptions of conflict - anxiously attached individuals reports...
of stress, anxiety and less positive perception of relationship after conflict discussion are not accounted for by... OBSERVERS' RATINGS OF THE INTERACTION means that negative perceptions of partner aren't because the interaction was actually more negative rather it was INTERPRETED more negatively - attributions are at work
69
goal of avoidant attachment pertaining to the attachment system
to keep the attachment system DEACTIVATED attempt to minimize experiences that might lead to attachment system activation 1. POST-EMPTIVE STRATEGIES 2. PRE-EMPTIVE STRATEGIES
70
avoidant attachment: post-emptive strategies
avoid retrieving, dwelling on, elaborating on... extant memories, insecurities, fears etc
71
avoidant attachment: pre-emptive strategies
deflect attention away from distress-provoking material fail to encode it into memory ie. tuning out potentially distressing convos ie. not getting into relationship in the first place
72
pre-emptive strategies: lab study setup
Ps listened to interview touching on several attachment themes, including death of family member completed two memory tests 1. word fragment completion (test of implicit memory of interview) 2. cued-recall test (test of explicit memory of interview)
73
pre-emptive strategies: lab study results
avoidantly attached individuals show WORSE PERFORMANCE on BOTH TESTS deficiency persisted even when monetary award for accurate recall was offered ^suggests they may not be encoding the info in the first place
74
can avoidantly attached individuals be like secure ones?
yes, in certain contexts they can resemble securely attached individuals but some research suggests that defensive maneuvers can BREAK DOWN - esp under conditions of HIGH STRESS like DIVORCE, caring for severely ILL CHILD
75
avoidantly attached individuals: inability to acknowledge distress...
may deprive one of the opportunity to benefit from social support defensive strategies also appear to be COGNITIVELY & PHYSIOLOGICALLY EFFORTFUL ie. show higher levels of physiological arousal during AAI despite reporting idealized view of relationship with parents
76
study: Ps asked to recall painful breakup/partner separation and then STOP thinking about it
normally, see a REBOUND EFFECT: heightened intrusion of unwanted thoughts following suppression under normal conditions, avoidants are GOOD at avoiding the rebound effect (can see this on a stream of consciousness task and implicit thought activation task)
76
avoidants: after thinking of separation, show...
HIGH AVAILABILITY OF POSITIVE and LOW AVAILABILITY of negative self traits inflated self image in response to painful attachment experiences
77
study: Ps asked to recall painful breakup/partner separation and then STOP thinking about it - COGNITIVE LOAD manipulation SETUP
added cognitive load manipulation (additional info had to be held in working memory) LOW LOAD: memorize and repeat 1 digit number HIGH LOAD: memorize and repeat 7 digit number
78
study: Ps asked to recall painful breakup/partner separation and then STOP thinking about it - COGNITIVE LOAD manipulation RESULTS
1. under high load, NO LONGER ABLE TO AVOID REBOUND of suppressed thoughts about separation 2. can also no longer maintain DEFENSIVELY POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE so works in short term, but not long term ^ why caring for ill child/going through divorce is more harmful for avoidants
79
how do avoidants avert pain of disappointment?
by maintaining low perceptions of social reward
80
avoidants downplaying reward study setup
had to evaluate dating profiles - manipulated potential for intimacy 1. high-responsiveness target "when i'm dating someone, I really care about putting in the effort and making it work...that means paying attention to my girlfriend and getting to know who she really is as a person" 2. low-responsiveness target "I like to keep conversations light and not too serious...I deal with enough of that stressful stuff at work. who needs that drama in their relationship?"
81
avoidants downplaying reward study results
attachment avoidance negatively predicts reward potential for HIGH but not for LOW responsiveness target not getting the reward we expect is painful by not getting their "hopes up" may PRE-EMPT feelings of pain and disappointment that result when expectations for reward aren't met defensive mechanism that only happens when hurt of unfulfilled intimacy is a REALISTIC THREAT - but when partner doesn't seem like they can provide intimacy, not as much of a threat
82
avoidants downplaying reward study: as attachment avoidance increases...
the perceived intimacy potential of the high responsiveness target decreases
83
in daily life...deactivating strategies interfere with monitoring of attachment figure's (un)availability
increases chances that SIGNALS OF AVAILABILITY will be MISSED
84
Sadikaj et al - event-contingent recording study of responses to partner's communal behaviour
BLUNTING of both NEG and POS emotional reactions to partner behaviour a. not responding with negative affect when partner behaving less warmly b. also not responding to signs of partner's availability
85
securely attached people believe that distress...
1. may be safely acknowledged & expressed 2. is manageable and they are capable of dealing with it ^are able to engage in instrumental problem solving
86
securely attached people learn that proximity seeking
results in support, protection and relief of distress 1. comfortable turning to others for support 2. don't see it as threat to their autonomy ^relatedness and autonomy aren't seen as incompatible
87
securely attached people overlook/downplay...
temporary instances of unresponsiveness or unavailability
88
anxiously attached people display __________ for attachment figure availability
hyper-vigilance biased perception in direction of noticing or imagining insufficient availability or responsiveness ie. may misinterpret positive signals from others as sarcasm, make relationship-threatening attributions for positive behaviour
89
anxiously attached: perceived signs of attachment figure's unavailability amplify ______
distress feel incapable of dealing with problems on their own ramp up efforts to gain attachment figure's care and protection
90
primary strategy of anxiously attached individuals
ramping up efforts to gain attachment figure's care and protection hyper-activation of attachment system
91
excessive reassurance seeking
inappropriately strong tendency to seek assurances that one is valued & loved after such assurances have already been provided DISCOUNT such assurances because they were FORCED - vicious cycle of doubt & demoralization potentially culminating in depression
92
avoidants have learned that proximity seeking may lead to...
punishment (inattention, rejection, hostility etc) thus, proximity seeking is FUTILE at best, DANGEROUS at worst
93
instead of proximity seeking, avoidants emphasize...
SELF-RELIANCE tendency to see reliance and AUTONOMY as INCOMPATIBLE
94
avoidants autonomy and reliance: daily diary study
1. inhibited closeness-related goals 2. withdrew emotionally from partners on days when they had insufficient independence or control in their relationships REALLY SENSITIVE TO THREATS TO AUTONOMY
95
avoidant attachment study: lab heterosexual couples where women expected to participate in mystery stress task SETUP
"In the next few mins, you're going to be exposed to a situation and set of experimental procedures that arouse considerable anxiety and distress in most people. due to the nature of these procedures, I can't tell you any more at the moment. Of course, I'll answer any questions or concerns you have after the experiment is over" brought out to wait with partner (who hasn't been told anything about the task)
96
avoidant attachment study: lab heterosexual couples where women expected to participate in mystery stress task RESULTS
SECURE women: a. comfortable seeking support b. explicit about expressing desire for support c. amount of support sought increases in proportion with distress AVOIDANT women: a. inhibited attention seeking as distress grows (defensive properties kick in) b. the more strongly the attachment system is activated, the more defensive processes kick in
97
anxious attachment & disclosure
focus on ONE'S OWN unfulfilled needs for closeness, fears & vulnerabilities self-disclosure: often tends to be NEGATIVE in tone, INDISCRIMINATE & INAPPROPRIATE "too much, too soon"
98
disclosure of anxiously attached people is driven more by...
desire to: 1. MERGE with another person 2. garner SUPPORT 3. ASSUAGE FEAR of rejection rather than focus on mutual enjoyment and reciprocity (like securely attached individuals) ^anxiously attached self disclosure undermines mutual enjoyment of disclosure and building of intimacy
99
anxious attachment & responsiveness
OVER-INVOLVEMENT in partner's problems COMPULSIVE CAREGIVING 1. may become OVERWHELMED by own distress 2. don't match level of care to level of need (CATASTROPHIZING) 3. more preoccupied with SELF-CRITICAL THOUGHTS when interacting with someone who needs care
100
avoidant attachment & disclosure
desire to MAINTAIN INTERPERSONAL DISTANCE and keep attachment system DEACTIVATED work hard to INHIBIT emotional states incompatible with that goal associated with LOWER LEVELS of SELF DISCLOSURE a. contributes to LESS SATISFACTION with social support b. LESS CLOSENESS after 36 questions task
101
avoidant attachment & responsiveness
also SEEK LESS INFO about their partner uncomfortable with partner distress 1. higher levels of partner distress associated with greater withdrawal both in SUPPORT and PROVISION 2. avoidant men also react with ANGER when partner whose in need of support expresses high levels of distress
102
bowlby on stability and change
working models need to be both ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE and ENVIRONMENTALLY LABILE STABLE: provide sense of continuity despite fluctuations in environment LABILE: help adapt to changes in environment and relationships with diff people
103
self-perpetuating nature of working models general
working models are SCHEMAS: direct attention & influence how we INTERPRET, STORE, RECALL information self-perpetuating: provide CONTINUITY between early and later attachment-related feelings & behaviour
104
specific ways that working models are self-perpetuating
1. perceptual confirmation ie. being overly attentive to signs of inattention may perpetuate anxious individuals' insecurity 2. behavioural confirmation ie. avoidants' cold behaviour may drive away partners - confirming idea that others can't be relied on
105
behavioural confirmation: research example
examined effects of attachment anxiety on FIRST IMPRESSIONS speed-dating, one-on-one with attractive perferred-sex confederate individuals higher in anxious attachment LESS LIKELY TO BE CHOSEN for future contact & rated as LESS ATTRACTIVE/APPEALING effect mediated by BEHAVIOURAL DISPLAYS of ANXIETY ie. awkwardness, stinted body language
106
within person variation in attachment security
1. attachment security can vary across different attachment figures ie. the way you relate to mom may not be the same as you relate to your romantic partner 2. most people possess RELATIONAL SCHEMAS corresponding to a RANGE of ATTACHMENT ORIENTATIONS ie. even individuals with global avoidant or anxious orientation have access to secure representations ^these reps can be made MORE ACCESSIBLE in certain contexts
107
priming relational schemas
have participants: 1. REFLECT ON positive attachment memories 2. view IMAGES/WORDS related to attachment security & figure availability leads individuals to process info in ways consistent with activated schemas
108
research examples of priming relational schemas - security priming led people to...
1. RECALL more positive attachment related WORDS in a memory task 2. ENDORSE more positive relationship EXPECTATIONS 3. EXPERIENCE less jealousy in response to threatening hypothetical scenario
109
social cognitive perspective on attachment styles
global attachment style reflects AVAILABILITY and ACCESSIBILITY of different kinds of relational schemas availability: do you have a schema for a certain type of relationship? accessibility: how easily to the representations come to mind?
110
cognitive perspective: schema availability
Ps with secure attachment styles most likely group to report secure relationships Ps with avoidant styles most likely group to report avoidant relationships
111
cognitive perspective: schema accessibility
your attachment style predicted which patterns came to mind most easily - secure attachment = higher accessibility of positive schemas - insecurely attached people may also have positive schemas, but may be WEIGHING THEM DIFFERENTLY
111
change over time
at least 40% of people experience CHANGES in GLOBAL ATTACHMENT orientation over their lifetime
112
change of attachment orientation over time particularly linked to...
major stressors & important life transitions 1. health crises 2. bereavement 3. beginning/ending of important romantic relationships 4. marriage & parenthood
113
major stressors & transitions may provide important diagnostic situations about...
others' availability & responsiveness for better or for worse
114
top down processing
how SCHEMAS shape information processing ie. availability and accessibility of certain schemas
115
bottom up processing - role in attachment
partner behaviour matters trust = sense that partner can be relief on (SAFE HAVEN) perceived goal validation = sense that partner supports one's goal pursuits (SECURE BASE)
116
safe haven & secure base - support over time
SHORT TERM: 1. TRUST may be particularly helpful for reducing attachment ANXIETY 2. GOAL VALIDATION may be particularly helpful for reducing attachment AVOIDANCE but OVER TIME... 1. GOAL VALIDATION is particularly important for ANXIOUS individuals ^ building up sense of SELF-EFFICACY - repairing model of self 2. TRUST is particularly important for AVOIDANT individuals ^ teaching the individual that close others can be RELIED ON - repairing model of other
117
safe haven & secure base - short term
TRUST (safe haven) important for ANXIOUSLY attached people GOAL VALIDATION (secure base) important for AVOIDANT people
118
safe haven & secure base - long term
GOAL VALIDATION particularly important for ANXIOUSLY attached people ^ it repairs their model of self, builds self-efficacy TRUST particularly important for AVOIDANT individuals ^ it repairs their model of others, shows they can be relief on
119
responsive social support fosters attachment security, but do avoidants benefit from receiving social support from their partners?
INCONSISTENT FINDINGS: 1. may REACT DEFENSIVELY when receiving support ^ threat to autonomy and independence 2. other research shows they BENEFIT from partner support in CERTAIN SITUATIONS ^ another important contextual factor may be TYPE of support provided
120
important contextual factors for whether avoidants benefit from social support from partners
the TYPE and LEVEL of support avoidants may particularly benefit from PRACTICAL SUPPORT HIGH LEVELS of support may break through avoidant defenses by starkly contradicting negative experiences
121
types of support
1. EMOTIONAL support ^ expression of comfort & caring 2. PRACTICAL/INSTRUMENTAL support ^ provision of tangible resources & aid, problem solving
122
avoidants may particularly benefit from this
practical support unlike emotional support, doesn't require the kind of DISCUSSION OF EMOTIONS, affection, intimacy etc that avoidants are uncomfortable with it's less vulnerable
123
level of support: avoidant individuals
extent to which avoidants derive benefit from social support may also depend on the LEVEL of support being provided SCHEMAS = particularly INFLUENTIAL when AMBIGUITY is HIGH - ie. when support levels are low
124
when are schemas particularly influentatial?
when ambiguity is high ie. when support levels are LOW so when support is low, avoidants rely on their negative relationship schemas inadequate levels of perceived support CONFIRMS EXPECTATIONS that partner can't be depended on
125
avoidants: inadequate levels of perceived support confirms expectations that partner can't be depended on...
leads to threat responses automatic defenses are engaged
126
level of support: low-moderate range versus beyond average levels
low-moderate range: a. increasing levels of PRACTICAL SUPPORT associated with: - MORE DISTRESS - LESS SELF-EFFICACY - GREATER INTERPERSONAL DISTANCE by avoidant individuals beyond average levels: a. increasing levels of support have the OPPOSITE EFFECTS
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levels of support for avoidants takeaway
1. high levels of support may break through avoidant defenses by STARKLY CONTRADICTING NEGATIVE EXPECTATIONS 2. suggests that avoidants' emphasis on independence & self-reliance is a DEFENSIVE MECHANISM ^ they want care and support, but also want to protect themselves from hurt
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consistency and turbulence: negative relationship events can...
undermine attachment security ie. chronic relationship difficulties ie. breakups
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consistency and turbulence: recall that consistency matters...
consistency matters for fostering attachment security
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consistency and turbulence: secure individuals expect...
expect stability & consistency over time lack of stability can cause damage
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consistency and turbulence: when secure individuals experience greater fluctuations in relationship-specific security...
they evince most pronounced declines in relationship satisfaction and most pronounced increases in relationship distress securely attached people are impacted negatively to the greatest extent when they experience inconsistency (they aren't used to it)