CRC Attachment Theory & Relationship Patterns Flashcards

John Bowlby's attachment theory proposes that the primary biological function of attachment is:

Answer: Proximity-seeking to a caregiver for safety and survival

Bowlby proposed that attachment is a biological system designed to keep infants close to caregivers for protection and survival.

Adults with a secure attachment style in romantic relationships typically:

Answer: Feel comfortable with closeness and can express needs directly

Securely attached adults feel comfortable with intimacy and interdependence, and communicate needs without excessive anxiety.

A client who fears abandonment, seeks constant reassurance, and becomes distressed when their partner is emotionally distant likely has which attachment style?

Answer: Anxious-preoccupied

Anxious-preoccupied attachment is characterized by fear of abandonment, hypervigilance to the partner's moods, and need for constant reassurance.

The 'dismissive-avoidant' attachment style in adults is most associated with:

Answer: Discomfort with closeness and a strong emphasis on self-reliance

Dismissive-avoidant individuals prioritize independence, suppress attachment needs, and may feel suffocated by too much intimacy.

The 'disorganized' (fearful-avoidant) attachment style is often associated with:

Answer: Childhood experiences of abuse or neglect where the caregiver was both a source of fear and comfort

Disorganized attachment develops when a caregiver is simultaneously a source of fear and comfort, creating an unresolvable conflict for the child.

In adult attachment research, the 'Adult Attachment Interview' (AAI) assesses attachment by analyzing:

Answer: The coherence and consistency of narratives about childhood experiences

The AAI assesses adult attachment through the coherence, consistency, and collaborative nature of narratives about early caregiving experiences.