Adult attachment theory
romantic relationships
-four defining features: proximity maintenance, separation distress, safe haven and secure base
attachment diagram
Clockwise starting at 12: low avoidant, anxious-preoccupied, high anxiety, fearful-avoidant, high avoidance, dismissing-avoidant, low anxiety, secure
Generalized attachment representation
attachment style is applied to relationships in general
relationship specific attachment representation
attachment style is applied to specific relationships
anxious attachment
desire unhealthy closeness to partners (obsessive and clingy) - tend to cling to attachment figures or aggressively demand reassurance, often fearing that they are somehow deficient or unlovable
attachment working models are influenced by
cognitions, feelings, behaviors
secure attachment
easily forms and maintains healthy relationships -tend to believe that others are reliable and see themselves as lovable and worthy of care -felt security
anxious dating strategies
more adept at convey positive qualities -more willing to share -more likely to seem interesting -more willing to engage in conversation
dismissive avoidant attachment
suppresses and hide feelings. deny needing close relationships. -tend to deny their need for attachment and frame others as untrustworthy
commitment
the intention to stay in a relaitonship, despite obstacles -long term orientation -seeing a relationship future with your partner
fearful avoidant attachment
view themselves as unworthy of love. don't trust partners intentions -tend to recognize their need for others but avoid others and frame them as untrustworthy