The attachment system in fledgling relationships: An activating role for attachment anxiety.

Abstract

Is it sensible to study attachment dynamics between potential romantic partners before they share a full-fledged attachment bond? The present data indicate that such an approach may reveal novel insights about initial attraction processes. Four studies suggest that the state-like experience of attachment anxiety has functional implications within fledgling (i.e., desired or undeveloped) romantic relationships, well before the formation of an attachment bond. Studies 1 and 3 reveal that attachment anxiety directed toward a particular romantic interest is elevated before (in comparison with after) participants report being in an established relationship. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrate that such partner-specific attachment anxiety predicts attachment-relevant outcomes in fledgling relationships, including proximity seeking, safe haven, secure base, passionate love, and other approach behaviors. These associations were reliable above and beyond (and were typically as strong as or stronger than) the effect of sexual desire. Finally, Study 4 presents evidence that partner-specific attachment anxiety may cause several of these attachment-relevant outcomes. Attachment anxiety seems to be a normative experience and may signal the activation of the attachment system during the earliest stages of romantic relationships.

When destiny hurts: Implicit theories of relationships moderate aggressive responses to ostracism

“…Working beliefs about relationships influence responses in both established and 'potential' relationships (DeWall et al, 2012;Eastwick & Finkel, 2008) Thus, we predicted that implicit theories of relationships would influence how people respond to setbacks arisen from social interactions with people who represent potential relationship partners.…”

Prediction-error in the context of real social relationships modulates reward system activity

“…Nonetheless, there is reason to believe such links do exist (see Amodio and Frith, 2006; Vrticka et al, 2008; Insel, 2010). Attachment security (see Pierce and Lydon, 2001; Reis et al, 2004; Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006) and trust (Rempel et al, 1985) hinge on the predictability —moreso than positivity or negativity—with which specific romantic partners are responsive to self-related needs for esteem, validation, and care (Rempel et al, 1985; Reis et al, 2004; Eastwick and Finkel, 2008). Indeed, Attachment Theory (see Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006 for review) asserts that the conceptual attachment system dynamically regulates care-seeking behavior based on the reliability with which partners are responsive and that both globalized (across relationships) and partner specific models of attachment (within specific relationships; see Pierce and Lydon, 2001).…”

“…Indeed, Attachment Theory (see Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006 for review) asserts that the conceptual attachment system dynamically regulates care-seeking behavior based on the reliability with which partners are responsive and that both globalized (across relationships) and partner specific models of attachment (within specific relationships; see Pierce and Lydon, 2001). Unpredictable partners engender insecure-anxious attachments (see Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006 for review) toward specific partners, characterized by appetitive partner-related seeking behaviors and rumination (Eastwick and Finkel, 2008). In this respect, attachment anxiety represents uncertainty about relationship partners, provides the motivational impetus for pursuing and engendering deeper commitments with relationship partners (Eastwick and Finkel, 2008), and coincides with feelings of intense romantic affect (romantic passion; Hatfield and Walster, 1978).…”

“…Unpredictable partners engender insecure-anxious attachments (see Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006 for review) toward specific partners, characterized by appetitive partner-related seeking behaviors and rumination (Eastwick and Finkel, 2008). In this respect, attachment anxiety represents uncertainty about relationship partners, provides the motivational impetus for pursuing and engendering deeper commitments with relationship partners (Eastwick and Finkel, 2008), and coincides with feelings of intense romantic affect (romantic passion; Hatfield and Walster, 1978). Other research notes that this intense affect bears semblance to addiction-related phenomenology (Aron et al, 2005; see also Ortigue and Bianchi-Demicheli, 2008) and may be intimately tied to reward system functions (Hyman, 2005).…”

When Honesty Isn't the Best Policy: The Positive Effects of Uncertainty on Romantic Attraction

“…Recent work has shown that attachment anxiety, which exhibits some of the characteristics of uncertainty, is a predictor of attraction (Eastwick & Finkel, 2008). This statelike experience of attachment is found in desired and underdeveloped relationships and includes a "need for reassurance, fear of abandonment, and intense preoccupation regarding romantic partners" (Eastwick & Finkel, 2008, p. 4).…”