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