Chapter 12
PSY 32 – SANTROCK (3.1) – CHAPTER 12
SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
I. Stability and Change from Childhood to Adulthood
Attachment appears during infancy and plays an important part in socioemotional development throughout life.
Adult attachment patterns are generally classified based on the dimensions of attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance.
Attachment-related anxiety – Involves the extent to which individuals feel attentive (i.e., “How much can I count on you?”).
Attachment-related avoidance – Involves the degree to which individuals feel secure or insecure in relying on others, opening up to them, and being intimate with them (i.e., How much will I let you ‘in’?”).
Research studies linking early infant attachments with parents and later attachments in adult romantic relationships have suggested that securely attached infants usually become securely attached adults in romantic relationships, but this association may be lessened by stressful and disruptive experiences in childhood.
Results from a recent study linking adults’ current attachment styles with other aspects of their lives have shown that adults with avoidant and anxious attachment styles tend to be more likely to be depressed than securely attached adults.
Secure attachment to parents during childhood correlates with more satisfaction with adult relationships.
Secure attachment style – An attachment style that described adults who have positive views of relationships, find it easy to get close to others, and are not overly concerned or stressed out about their romantic relationships.
Avoidant attachment style – An attachment style that describes adults who are hesitant about getting involved in romantic relationships and once they are in a relationship tend to distance themselves from their partner.
Anxious attachment style – An attachment style that describes adults who demand closeness, are less trusting, and more emotional, jealous, and possessive.
SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY ADULTHOOD
I. Stability and Change from Childhood to Adulthood
Attachment appears during infancy and plays an important part in socioemotional development throughout life.
Adult attachment patterns are generally classified based on the dimensions of attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance.
Attachment-related anxiety – Involves the extent to which individuals feel attentive (i.e., “How much can I count on you?”).
Attachment-related avoidance – Involves the degree to which individuals feel secure or insecure in relying on others, opening up to them, and being intimate with them (i.e., How much will I let you ‘in’?”).
Research studies linking early infant attachments with parents and later attachments in adult romantic relationships have suggested that securely attached infants usually become securely attached adults in romantic relationships, but this association may be lessened by stressful and disruptive experiences in childhood.
Results from a recent study linking adults’ current attachment styles with other aspects of their lives have shown that adults with avoidant and anxious attachment styles tend to be more likely to be depressed than securely attached adults.
Secure attachment to parents during childhood correlates with more satisfaction with adult relationships.
Secure attachment style – An attachment style that described adults who have positive views of relationships, find it easy to get close to others, and are not overly concerned or stressed out about their romantic relationships.
Avoidant attachment style – An attachment style that describes adults who are hesitant about getting involved in romantic relationships and once they are in a relationship tend to distance themselves from their partner.
Anxious attachment style – An attachment style that describes adults who demand closeness, are less trusting, and more emotional, jealous, and possessive.