Jennifer Curry, Ph. D.

Attachment, Crisis and Development

Attachment Theory

Remember a good theory must be testableTheory of attachment proposed by Bowlby (1973, 1988)Proponents of Attachment Theory advocate that “early

attachment relations come to form a prototype for later relationships outside the family, during adolescence or adulthood” (Chotai, Jonasson, Hagglof, & Adolfsson, 2005, p. 251)

Testing Attachment

Subsequently tested by Ainsworth & Bell in toddler studies known as the Strange Situation study

3 Main types emerged:SecureAnxious AmbivalentDetached

Attachment becomes more obvious under stress when the attachment system is invoked by the individual

Newer Models of Attachment

Positive Thoughts of Self

Negative Thoughts

of Self

Positive Thoughts of Partner

Secure—Comfortable with Intimacy and Autonomy

Preoccupied—Continually thinking (ruminating) about the relationship

Negative Thoughts of

Partner

Dismissive—appears disinterested in Intimacy, Severely Independent

Fearful—Fearful of Intimacy, socially avoidant

Secure - It is relatively easy for me to become emotionally close to others. I am comfortable depending on others and having others depend on me. I don't worry about being alone or having others not accept me.

Dismissive - I am comfortable without close emotional relationships. It is very important to me to feel independent and self-sufficient, and I prefer not to depend on others or have others depend on me.

Preoccupied - 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 am uncomfortable being without close relationships, but I sometimes worry that others don't value me as much as I value them.

Fearful - I am somewhat 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 sometimes worry that I will be hurt if I allow myself to become too close to others.

A theory of hopelessness? Cooper, Shaver, and Collins (1998)

concluded that attachment styles constitute separate psychological profiles that are pervasive throughout one’s lifespan.

Attachment styles are a fairly stable, lifelong pattern of connection and interaction with people and the environment (Mikulincer, Shaver, Gillath, & Nitzberg, 2005).

The Good News…

Johari’s Window

Internal Working Models—a template for future relationships

Past Experiences (Culture, Family of Origin, Prior Exposure)

Current Context (Economy, Life Status)Beliefs (self, others, and the world)Goals (holistic domains)Strategies (positive and maladaptive coping skills)Actions and Reactions

Internal Working Models—a template for future relationships

Past Experiences (Culture, Family of Origin, Prior Exposure)

Current Context (Economy, Life Status)Beliefs (self, others, and the world)Goals (holistic domains)Strategies (positive and maladaptive coping skills)Actions and Reactions