CRC Attachment Theory & Relationship Patterns Flashcards

Intergenerational transmission of attachment refers to:

Answer: The tendency for parents' attachment patterns to shape their children's attachment styles

Research shows that a parent's attachment classification predicts their infant's attachment style with about 75% accuracy.

A CRC client who says 'I don't need anyone — I'm better off alone' and dismisses their partner's need for closeness is likely displaying:

Answer: Dismissive-avoidant attachment defense strategies

Dismissing the need for connection while insisting on self-sufficiency is a hallmark deactivating strategy of dismissive-avoidant attachment.

The phrase 'attachment injury' in couples coaching refers to:

Answer: A specific betrayal event that ruptures trust and disrupts felt security in the relationship

An attachment injury is a specific incident where a partner failed to respond in a moment of need, creating a lasting wound in the relationship.

Sue Johnson's Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), often used in couples coaching, is rooted in which theory?

Answer: Attachment theory

EFT is explicitly grounded in Bowlby's attachment theory, framing relationship distress as a disruption in the attachment bond.

A coaching approach informed by attachment theory would frame relationship conflict primarily as:

Answer: An attachment distress signal — a cry for closeness and reassurance

Attachment-informed coaching views conflict as protest behavior — partners are signaling an unmet need for connection, safety, or reassurance.

Which of the following is an example of a 'deactivating strategy' used by avoidant individuals in relationships?

Answer: Focusing on a partner's flaws to reduce the pull toward intimacy

Deactivating strategies, used by avoidant individuals, suppress attachment needs — focusing on a partner's flaws helps create emotional distance.