Post by pansy on Nov 8, 2005 6:36:17 GMT -5
I mentioned this on another thread, but I thought I'd post more about it here too. I dunno if anyone else has done any reading on attachment styles and how they affect our ability to form relationships throughout our lives, but I've been reading about it lately and found it very interesting. I thought I'd post a bit of info about it in case anyone else is interested.
Attachment theory is based on the work of Mary Ainsworth on three basic types of relationships between mothers and infants. In her research she identified infants as having a secure attachment style, an anxious/ambivalent attachment style or an avoidant attachment style.
Infants with a secure attachment style typically have caregivers who are responsive to their needs, and show positive emotions when interacting with them. These infants exhibit trust in their caregivers, aren't worried about abandonment, and grow to see themselves as worthy and well-liked.
Infants with an avoidant attachment style typically have caregivers who are aloof and distant, rebuffing the infants' attempts to establish intimacy. These infants want to be close to their caregivers but learn to suppress this need, and apparently expect that attempts to be intimate will be rejected. This attachment style results in difficulty developing intimate relationships.
Infants with an anxious/ambivalent attachment style typically have caregivers who are inconsistent and overbearing in their affection. These infants are unusually anxious because they can't predict when and how their caregivers will respond to their needs.
Attachment theory operates on a basic assumption that the attachment style learned as an infant is typically retained throughout our life span. This affects all of our relationships thoughout life. People who develop a secure attachment as infants develop mature, lasting relationships as adults. People who had an avoidant attachment as infants have trouble trusting others and have difficulty forming close, intimate relationships. People who had an anxious/ambivalent attachment as infants want to become close to their partners as adults
but worry that their affection will not be returned.
By reading the three statements below and choosing which one you think best describes your romantic relationships, you can identify your attachment style.
A. "I find it relatively easy to get close to others and am comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don't often worry about being abandoned or about someone getting too close."
B. "I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others; I find it difficult to trust them completely, difficult to allow myself to depend on them. I am nervous when anyone gets close, and often love partners want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being."
C. "I find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn't really love me or won't stay with me. I want to merge completely with another person, and this desire sometimes scares people away."
A = Secure Style
B = Avoidant Style
C= Anxious Style
Attachment theory is based on the work of Mary Ainsworth on three basic types of relationships between mothers and infants. In her research she identified infants as having a secure attachment style, an anxious/ambivalent attachment style or an avoidant attachment style.
Infants with a secure attachment style typically have caregivers who are responsive to their needs, and show positive emotions when interacting with them. These infants exhibit trust in their caregivers, aren't worried about abandonment, and grow to see themselves as worthy and well-liked.
Infants with an avoidant attachment style typically have caregivers who are aloof and distant, rebuffing the infants' attempts to establish intimacy. These infants want to be close to their caregivers but learn to suppress this need, and apparently expect that attempts to be intimate will be rejected. This attachment style results in difficulty developing intimate relationships.
Infants with an anxious/ambivalent attachment style typically have caregivers who are inconsistent and overbearing in their affection. These infants are unusually anxious because they can't predict when and how their caregivers will respond to their needs.
Attachment theory operates on a basic assumption that the attachment style learned as an infant is typically retained throughout our life span. This affects all of our relationships thoughout life. People who develop a secure attachment as infants develop mature, lasting relationships as adults. People who had an avoidant attachment as infants have trouble trusting others and have difficulty forming close, intimate relationships. People who had an anxious/ambivalent attachment as infants want to become close to their partners as adults
but worry that their affection will not be returned.
By reading the three statements below and choosing which one you think best describes your romantic relationships, you can identify your attachment style.
A. "I find it relatively easy to get close to others and am comfortable depending on them and having them depend on me. I don't often worry about being abandoned or about someone getting too close."
B. "I am somewhat uncomfortable being close to others; I find it difficult to trust them completely, difficult to allow myself to depend on them. I am nervous when anyone gets close, and often love partners want me to be more intimate than I feel comfortable being."
C. "I find that others are reluctant to get as close as I would like. I often worry that my partner doesn't really love me or won't stay with me. I want to merge completely with another person, and this desire sometimes scares people away."
A = Secure Style
B = Avoidant Style
C= Anxious Style