Introduction:
When it comes to an unfamiliar audience or a complicated idea, definitions are useful to explain
terms. For this assignment, the goal was to explain a moderately complex term from my
discipline, psychology, to an audience that is unacquainted with the term. I chose the term “Adult
Attachment Theory” and explained the term through three definition styles: parenthetical,
sentence, and expanded form.
Parenthetical definition:
Adult attachment theory (a strong emotional bond) was developed in the late 1980s.
Sentence definition:
Adult attachment theory is a psychological phenomenon that attempts to explain how intimate,
romantic relationships function.
Expanded Definition:
What is Adult Attachment Theory?
Adult attachment theory is a psychological phenomenon that attempts to explain how intimate,
romantic relationships function. Attachment styles refer to the motivational systems underlying
social relationships that explain differences in how people connect with and relate to others.
Differences in adult attachment are conceptualized in terms of four distinct “styles”, based on
two-dimensional models of how people regard themselves (view of self) and others (view of
others) (Konrath, Chopik, Hsing, & O’Brien, 2014).
How was Adult Attachment Theory developed?
Early attachment theory was focused on the bonds formed between infants and their caregivers
(Bowlby, 1979). Later research highlighted the parallels between these parent–child relationships
and relationships between romantic partners beginning in young adulthood (Hazan & Shaver,
1987). For example, a child’s relationship with their parents in early life is similar to their
intimate relationships with others later in life (Bowlby, 1988; Fraley & Shaver, 2000). More
recently, attachment theory was extended beyond intimate relationships to include more general
adult relationships, for example, friendship.
What are Adult Attachment Styles?
Adult Attachment Theory identifies four types of adult attachment styles: secure, preoccupied,
dismissive, and fearful. These styles affect how people behave in their relationships
(Barthalomew, 1990). Secure individuals perceive the world as a safe place and generally have
high self-esteem and a greater ability to trust others. Preoccupied individuals are highly anxious
in relationships and lack a positive view of themselves, though they have a positive view of
others (Barthalomew, 1990). They tend to seek intense intimacy as well as reassurance in others
and they fear rejection. Dismissive individuals may have high self-esteem but are best
characterized by their suppressed desire to get close to others and may keep others at ‘arm’s
length’. They are avoidant in addressing issues and are more likely to keep their feelings to
themselves. Finally, fearful individuals are both highly anxious and avoidant. They have a
negative view of themselves and others. Although they desire intimacy, they are deeply afraid of
connection. Therefore, fearful individuals don’t allow themselves to be emotionally open. These
four adult attachment styles influence how an individual reacts to and perceives different events
and, as a result, an individual’s attachment style shapes their behavior and life.
Table 1.
Dimensions of Attachment Style
The following visual accompanies the section ‘How does Adult Attachment Theory
work?’ The table lays out the differences between adult attachment styles.
Source: Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A
test of a Four-Category Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226-244.
What are some applications of Adult Attachment Theory?
An individual’s adult attachment style has been shown to influence well-being, happiness, selfesteem, and loneliness (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). Additionally, attachment styles
influence the success of our social relationships. A secure attachment style is a good predictor of
mental health as individuals with this style are more likely to create trust in interpersonal
relationships and thus form meaningful social relationships. Across social relationships, adult
attachment theory helps explain how individuals experience the world.
References
Bartholomew, K. (1990). Avoidance of intimacy: An attachment perspective. Journal of Social
and Personal Relationships, 7, 147-178. doi:10.1177/0265407590072001
Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a
Four-Category Model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 226-244.
Bowlby, J. (1979). The Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 2,
637-638. doi:10.1017/S0140525X00064955
Bowlby, J. (1988). Developmental psychiatry comes of age. The American Journal of
Psychiatry, 145, 1-10.
Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments,
emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology, 4,
132-154.
Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 511-524.
Konrath, S.H., Chopik, W. J., Hsing, C.K., & O’Brien, E. (2014). Changes in Adult Attachment
Styles in American College Students Over Time: A Meta-Analysis. Personality and
Social Psychology Review, 18, 326–348. doi:10.1177/1088868314530516