Attachment styles

Question 1

What is attachment theory based on?

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

What happens if the attachment figure is unavailable or unresponsive?

Answer 2

• compounded stress occurs

Question 3

How does an attachment figure provide a ‘safe haven’?

Answer 3

• by providing comfort and alleviation of distress

Question 4

What are the different attachment styles according to Ainsworth? (based on Bowlby’s theory)

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

What does Bowlby say are the internal working models?

Answer 5

• models of self: self as worth or unworthy

- models of others: others as reliable or unreliable

Question 6

What is the progression of proximity, safe haven and secure base in infancy, early childhood, late childhood/adolescence, adulthood?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What was Bartholomew & Horowitz’s four-category attachment model?

Answer 7

Dichotomised into:
- model of self (dependence): positive/negative.
- model of others (avoidance): positive/negative.
To make up four attachment styles:
- secure
- anxious
- dismissing- avoidant 
-

Question 8

What is the secure

Answer 8

• see others as dependable of others; not reliant
• positive view of self
• will seek help when need it, easily reassured

Question 9

What is the preoccupied/anxious attachment style?

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

What is the dismissing-avoidant attachment style characterised by?

Answer 10

• positive model of self
• don’t trust other ppl
• think others are untrustworthy
• self sufficiency; avoidance of intimacy

Question 11

What is the fearful-avoidant attachment style characterised by?

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

What is the debate of attachment styles as introduced by Brennan, Shaver & Tobey?

Answer 12

• suggests that they may be dimensions, rather than necessarily types
• said that they vary on 2 factors: avoidance/anxiety

Question 13

What was the stability of attachment patterns over time?

Answer 13

• test-retest showed r=.47 to .70 over 1 week to 25 years

Question 14

How do we change attachment patterns?

Answer 14

• attachment- relevant experiences that challenges existing working models
  (both positive and negative)

Question 15

How is attachment anxiety related to facets of personality?

Answer 15

• higher on all facets of neuroticism: anxiety, hostility, depression, self-consciousness, vulnerability

Question 16

How is attaachment avoidance related to personality factors?

Answer 16

• lower levels of extraversion
• higher levels of social anhedonia
• higher neuroticism
  (all low in interpersonal factors)

Question 17

What intrapersonal outcomes relate to psychopathology?

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

What are the interpersonal outcomes related to r/s satisfaction?

Answer 18

• 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)

Question 19

How do secure/anxious/avoidant individuals appraise conflict resolution?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

How do secure/anxious/avoidant individuals behave with regards to caregiving?

Answer 20

• secure: appropriate, altruistic motive
• anxious: overly dependent, controlling, intrusive
• avoidant: less supportive, lack sensitivity,

Question 21

How do secure/anxious/avoidance individuals behave with regards to sexuality?

Answer 21

Anxious: engages in sexual activity to feel lovers, avoid rejection and strengthen bond
Avoidant: avoids intimacy, uncommitted sex.