Interpersonal Relationships Flashcards
(47 cards)
what are attachment relationships?
a unique and secure base where separation can cause distress
what is the prototype of adult attachment?
long-term romantic relationships
what are attachment behavioural systems?
a universal neural program to facilitate survival and reproduction, which establishes security
deactivation strategies
minimise attachment signals
hyperactivation strategies
maximise attachment signals
what does attachment behaviour require?
working models of person-environment transactions, similar to social schemas to guide interpersonal behaviour and relationship projections
orthogonal dimensions of attachment
anxiety and avoidance
attachment-related anxiety
strong desire for closeness and worries about their own value to their partner
use hyperactive strategies to deal with insecurity and distress
attachment-related avoidance
discomfort with dependence on partners, and prefer emotional distance and self-reliance
use deactivating strategies to cope with insecurity and distress
attachment security
low scores on anxiety and avoidance dimensions
when do attachment-relevant experiences occur?
during infancy, childhood, and adolescence, to shape prototype working models of adult attachment patterns
what has recent evidence suggested?
genetic contributions towards attachment anxiety
socialisation
environment -> person
selection
person -> environment
prototype hypothesis
experiences in earlier relationships create internal working models and attachment styles which systematically affect attachment relationships
how is attachment security priming used to test causality hypotheses?
activates mental representations of relationships (guided imagery) to examine outcomes
activating supportive attachment can encourage behaviour in line with security
what can flirting and dating cause?
feelings of failure and rejection, which activate attachment (interpersonal processes of self-presentation and self-disclosure)
self-disclosure
the reciprocal exchange of self-relevant information, which can increase in depth and breadth
how are insecure-attachment orientations varied?
anxiety-attachment individuals engage in indiscriminate disclosure whereas avoidant-individuals use low disclosure
what do mate preferences and the ideal standards model consider?
evolutionary theories of partner and relationship ideals
- warmth, commitment, and intimacy
- health, passion, and attractiveness
- status and resources
anxiety-attachment selected warmth
avoidant-attachment selected health and status
evidence of complementary patterns
insecure-attached individuals are attracted to insecure people
anxiety-attachment and formation of relationships
unpopular during speed dating, but present positively to potential dates
avoidant-attachment and formation of relationships
expectations of failure and commitment-aversive, but present superficially positive to potential dates
what does intimacy reflect?
emotional and behavioural orientations towards attachment figures, such as engaging in problem solving and disclosing private feelings
