The purpose of this study was to investigate if there is a correlation between adult’s attachment styles and the use of negative relational maintenance behaviors in romantic relationships. Studies suggest, depending on an individual’s perception of self as well as others in correspondence to their attachment style determines the social behaviors practiced in maintaining a relationship either by positive or negative practices. As Goodboy and Bolkan hypothesize in “Attachment and the Use of Negative Relational Maintenance Behaviors in Romantic Relationships” one’s adult attachment style may explain the antisocial behaviors in a negative maintenance of a romantic relationship. Furthermore, the study looks to observe a link between adult attachment …show more content…
The study refers to relational maintenance as “the action and activities romantic partners use to sustain desired relational definitions” (Bolkan and Goodboy, 327). Studies show prosocial behaviors, where openness, positivity, assurance, social networks, shared tasks, and conflict management are the primary functions with a relationship are defined as operationalized maintenance (Bolkan and Goodboy, 328). Conversely, antisocial or avoidance strategies are utilized in negative relational maintenance. These methods of maintaining a romantic relationship are categorized by jealousy induction, avoidance, destructive conflict, allowing control, spying, and infidelity (Bolkan and Goodboy, 328). Often partners utilizing these behaviors report less liking, satisfaction, respect, control mutuality, and commitment. Furthermore, this observation prompted Bolkan and Goodboy to investigate if the practice of negative relational maintenance behaviors results from difference in adult attachment styles. In previous studies focus has been placed on the role attachment styles plays in prosocial maintenance behaviors, where functions including assurance, romantic affection, support, conflict management, advice, social networks, openness and positivity are performed by secure partners (Bolkan and Goodboy, 329). Clearly, attachment styles contribute …show more content…
While people contain different attachment styles, their practice of either negative or positive maintenance behaviors originate from. However, depending on the utilization of these behaviors can determine the satisfaction within the romantic relationship. As the study demonstrates, the more negative maintenance behaviors are practiced the more likely dissatisfaction is to occur in the relationship. These behaviors though depend heavily, though, on the perception an individual has of themselves, but also others. Simply, when positive outlooks of the self as well as other is a practiced mindset, then the more comfortable an individual will be performing positive social skills in maintaining relationships. Thus, making a connection between attachment style and relational maintenance behaviors. As Bolkan and Goodboy, state attachment is a vital framework for conceptualizing how romantic partners maintain their relationships (329). It was found from the results of this study, individuals with a secure attachment style are less likely to practice negative maintenance behaviors. Conversely, dismissive and fearful-avoidant individuals display more negative maintenance behaviors through the representation of jealousy, avoidance, infidelity and not allowing control of the partner in the relationship. However, these results
Changing history has profound effects on humans and the choices that they make, in 1984 by George Orwell Big Brother has the ability to manipulate the past, present, and future because he is the supreme leader of Oceania. The supreme leader of Oceania is Big Brother, none of the citizens in the country know if Big Brother is a group or a single individual. Big Brother stepped into power after the rebellion and has maintained absolute power over his citizens. In order to gain absolute power, Big Brother had to destroy human relationships. Relationships are a problem for Big Brother because they allow citizens to form bonds with one and other. Big Brother has ruined humanity and the relationships that they have in order to gain absolute power. By controlling the essential parts of relationships, physical contact, sex, and breaking the bond between parents and children, Big Brother successfully turns society into individuals in order to gain absolute power which will ensure that he will never lose power.
The first stage of the cycle is the man experiences rejection by his current partner. The past experience of rejection by the man's previous attachment relationships will be able to detonate by contact with his current partner's behaviour of rejection. Brown et al. (2010) pointed out that previous experiences of rejection weaken a man's ability to cope with present rejection. Such experiences include excessive rejection, punishment, neglect and abandonment. According to Bowlby's attachment research (as cited in Bretherton, 1992, p. 769), repeated threats of rejection may lead to excessive separation anxiety. Thus, an anxiously attached man tends to be the one being rejected or abandoned several times by parents or previous partner in his past life experience. Substantial research has been carried out which indicated a link between attachment style and man's abusive behaviour (Brown et al., 2010). Other than that, a man received excessive punishment during their childhood is more likely a troublesome individual (Fergusson & Lynskey, 1997). Therefore, when a m...
Attachment is described as the close emotional bond between two people and Attachment Theory (AT) generally concentrates on the early bonds in a person’s development as well as the effects that these bonds have on later socio-emotional development. While emphasis on attachment as an antecedent for future behavior and personality has decreased somewhat in recent years, it is interesting to note that the DSM IV-TR includes a “reactive attachment disorder” which it states is caused when extreme circumstances prevent proper attachment development.
Hazan, C., Gur-Yaish, N., & Campa, M. (2003). What does it mean to be attached? In W. S. Rholes & J. A. Simpson (Eds.) Adult Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Implications, (pp. 55 – 85). New York: Guilford.
Knox states “The attachment theory of love emphasizes the primary motivation in life is to be connected with other people.” I really relate to this. Ever since I was a child I always become attached to people very quickly. I always felt that even though I had a lot of friends when I was living in New Jersey that no one really understood me and I never felt extremely close to anyone. I always wanted to be understood in my life and feel connected to other people. Like I imagined I would have a friend and we would just click and they would understand me but I never felt that with anybody I met. I do struggle with trusting people in my romantic relationships and the attraction with my former partners was always a problem. It was always either I would really like someone and feel strongly for them but they would not feel as strongly for me. Or someone would really like me and I would not feel the same for them. Trusting people for me is hard. When I was in high school I had a boyfriend and I trusted him and he hurt me repeatedly ever since then it has been hard for me to fully trust men and to let them in. Knox mentions people who relate to attachment theory have challenges in long term relationships. This is very true for me. The longest relationship I had lasted for a year and a half. My main problem in long term relationships is, first I have a tendency to ruin my relationships with men, and I always have a fear
Psychologist, Mary Ainsworth expanded upon Bowlby's original work. She conducted a study labelled the ‘Strange Situation’. In the study, based upon the children’s reactions, Ainsworth described three major styles of attachment: secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment. Work by Stroufe and Waters in 1977, further supported Ainsworth's attachment styles and have indicated that attachment styles also have an impact on behaviours later in life (Birns, 1999, p. 13). Researchers have found strengths in attachment patterns established early in life can lead to a number of outcomes. For example, children who are securely attached as infants tend to develop stronger self-esteem and better self-reliance as they grow older. These children also tend to be more independent, perform better in school, have successful social relationships, and experience less depression and anxiety (Birns, 1999, p. 13).
Relationships between two people can have a strong bond and through poetry can have an everlasting life. The relationship can be between a mother and a child, a man and a woman, or of one person reaching out to their love. No matter what kind of relationship there is, the bond between the two people is shown through literary devices to enhance the romantic impression upon the reader. Through Dudley Randall’s “Ballad of Birmingham,” Ben Jonson’s “To Celia,” and William Shakespeare’s “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” relationships are viewed as a powerful bond, an everlasting love, and even a romantic hymn.
For example, Magai & Passman (1997) discovered a strong relationship between secure attachments and emotional well-being of middle aged adults, which extends to individuals later in life. Understanding the role of attachment and its psychosocial impact during later life is an important area that needs further research. In regards to TMT, close relationships offer security, protection, and give meaning to life (Mikulincer, Florian, & Hirschberger, 2003).
Introduction: Thoughts from the Breakroom The coffee has gotten cold, the soggy sandwich you brought for lunch is suddenly unappealing, and the conversation has run stale. The clock could not possibly be moving any slower. Your cubicle buddy is busy working on his customer reports, your boss is locked away in his office, and the creepy dude that sits that stares at you from his desk so happens to be taking his lunch break at the same time as you.
The researchers of the article wanted to know if relationship satisfaction, disclosure, hope, and trust are important elements in a model of attachment for friendships. The study used 268 undergraduate students from different levels and departments of a private Christian university. The methodology used involved five different questionnaires. The first questionnaire measured avoidance and anxiety attachment styles, this was called the Relationship Structure Questionnaire. The Relationship Satisfaction Scale measured the relationship satisfaction in relationships, such as family and friendships. The third questionnaire was called the Herth Hope Index and it was used to explore temporality and future, interconnectedness, and positive readiness.
Ferrara and Levine looked for multiple answers in the study. They wanted to know if is using communication strategies affect relational stability after a betrayal occurred. The study defined betrayal as failing to uphold relational expectations held by a partner. The study also wanted to see how betrayal and comparison level interacted, and the effect the interaction might have o level of satisfaction. Satisfaction was defined as the amount of positive affect associated with the relationship. Researches wanted to look at the relationship between satisfaction and investment size on commitment, and effects comparison level of alternative has on commitment. Commitment referred to the degree to which one feels attachment to and intends to maintain a relationship over time. What affect might satisfaction, investment size, and comparison level of alternative, mediated by commitment, have on relationship
In LDRs, relational dialectics contribute to the future or demise of an existing or developing relationship. To some, the benefit of living apart from their partner allows the individual to establish autonomy within the relationship while allowing a connection to their partner through communication. However, additional effort may be required to guarantee assurances to the partner who desires more security and closeness. Moreover, couples in LDRs have the freedom to attain privacy while also providing open communication when required by the situation. Therefore, it is pertinent to identify these trends in relational dialectics through four studies examining LDRs.
Moors, Conley, Edelstein, & Chopik (2015) explored the relationship between attachment and CNM. The researchers found that while avoidant individuals who were not currently in a CNM relationship held positive views of CNM they were less likely to actually be in a CNM with a negative correlation of -.27. The perceived psychological and physical distance from romantic partners may explain why, hypothetically, avoidant individuals prefer CNM. However, CNM may require open and honest communication which is congruent with a secure attachment rather than an avoidant attachment. Anxious individuals appeared to have mixed emotions when thinking about hypothetical CNM relationships, but they were no more likely to be in a CNM relationship than a monogamous relationship. Anxious individuals may be able to see both the good and bad in a CNM relationship such as the prospect of affection from many partners, but also the risk of abandonment. Since there was not a significant correlation at .04 it may be that anxiety is not as an important role in relationship configurations as it was believed to be. Therefore, it appears as though individuals in CNM relationships can have secure attachments similar to those in monogamous
Dainton and Gross (2008) specifically discuss the repercussions that negative behaviors such as jealousy induction may have on relationship maintenance. For instance utilizing negative maintenance behaviors such as jealousy to react to a relationship is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction. This research is tied in with the idea of social support and how individual respond to their partners. Researchers agree that jealousy in relationships can have a negative impact, yet also enhance romantic feelings and satisfaction based on how jealousy is initially communicated (Dainton & Gross, 2008; Yoshimura, 2004). “An essential idea behind this study is that the ways in which jealous individuals communicate their jealousy influence how the target communicatively responds. The results showed that targets of jealousy expressions most strongly respond in the style of the initial expression” (Yoshimura, 2004, p. 95). The way jealousy is expressed initially based on attitude and mood can affect the response of the partner and at shaping and guiding the relat...
A common quality many people seek in most relationships regardless of the circumstance is loyalty. It remains an essential quality required to provide a healthy relationship between two or more people. Maintaining the characteristics of trust, empathy, and understanding builds strong and effective relationships between romantic partners, professional colleagues, and friends. Often guilt, societal pressures, and self accountability pressure people into surpassing rational levels of loyalty. I believe that striving for loyalty in relationships coincides with a strong trust with partners; however, exceeding healthy amounts of loyalty is flawed.