1
Unraveling Adult Attachment Styles and Their Most Significant Effects on
Relationships
Miranda L. Daniel
National University
PSYCH 429: Intro to Personality Theory
Mrs. Tess Emminger
April 28, 2024
, 2
Introduction:
According to the theory of adult attachment, the interactions with the caregivers in
infancy mold the cognitive maps of relationships of the individuals that in turn define
their attachment styles as adults (Bowlby, 1980). Attachment styles or ways of relating
to others, for instance, secure, anxious, and avoidant, appear to be the most important
factors which define relationship patterns over all life. In this article, an adult
attachment theory model is being introduced to understand relationship dynamics and
conclusions are drawn by taking university articles and personal experience into
consideration.
According to the attachment theory, the early experiences of children in their
relationships with the primary caregiver (Bowlby, 1980) define the patterns of a child's
behavior and the inner working models of a relationship. Such foregoing events make a
pristine memory that shapes the way people see themselves, as well as others. These
"interior codes" of our brains determine, on the one hand, that point of view from which
we see ourselves and explains, on the other hand, the mechanism which determines
whether we love somebody or hate him/her. It stands as a map for laying prototypes
for closure in our personal relationships and offers direction to our interaction with
others.
Unraveling Adult Attachment Styles and Their Most Significant Effects on
Relationships
Miranda L. Daniel
National University
PSYCH 429: Intro to Personality Theory
Mrs. Tess Emminger
April 28, 2024
, 2
Introduction:
According to the theory of adult attachment, the interactions with the caregivers in
infancy mold the cognitive maps of relationships of the individuals that in turn define
their attachment styles as adults (Bowlby, 1980). Attachment styles or ways of relating
to others, for instance, secure, anxious, and avoidant, appear to be the most important
factors which define relationship patterns over all life. In this article, an adult
attachment theory model is being introduced to understand relationship dynamics and
conclusions are drawn by taking university articles and personal experience into
consideration.
According to the attachment theory, the early experiences of children in their
relationships with the primary caregiver (Bowlby, 1980) define the patterns of a child's
behavior and the inner working models of a relationship. Such foregoing events make a
pristine memory that shapes the way people see themselves, as well as others. These
"interior codes" of our brains determine, on the one hand, that point of view from which
we see ourselves and explains, on the other hand, the mechanism which determines
whether we love somebody or hate him/her. It stands as a map for laying prototypes
for closure in our personal relationships and offers direction to our interaction with
others.
