Question

According to Hazan and Shaver (1987) A. romantic relationships in adulthood follow the same form as attachment relationships in infancy. B. those who had ambivalent attachments in infancy are doomed never to fall in love as adults. C. those who had avoidant attachments in infancy often overcompensate by becoming excessively intimate in their adult love relationships. D. all of the above are the case.

Short answer

A. romantic relationships in adulthood follow the same form as attachment relationships in infancy. B. those who had ambivalent attachments in infancy are doomed never to fall in love as adults. C. those who had avoidant attachments in infancy often overcompensate by becoming excessively intimate in their adult love relationships. D. all of the above are the case. Answer: A. romantic relationships in adulthood follow the same form as attachment relationships in infancy.

Step-by-step solution

Read the options carefully

Start by carefully reading each of the four options provided: A. romantic relationships in adulthood follow the same form as attachment relationships in infancy. B. those who had ambivalent attachments in infancy are doomed never to fall in love as adults. C. those who had avoidant attachments in infancy often overcompensate by becoming excessively intimate in their adult love relationships. D. all of the above are the case.

Recall Hazan and Shaver's attachment theory

Remember that Hazan and Shaver focused on the importance of attachment styles in infancy and how those styles carry over to the way people experience romantic relationships in adulthood. They identified three primary attachment styles: secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent.

Evaluate the options against the theory

Examine each option and determine whether it is consistent with Hazan and Shaver's theory: A. This option suggests a link between attachment styles in infancy and adult romantic relationships, which is consistent with Hazan and Shaver's theory. B. This option implies that people with ambivalent attachments in infancy will never experience romantic love, which is an extreme statement and not fully consistent with the theory. C. This option suggests that people with avoidant attachments may overcompensate with excess intimacy in adulthood, but it does not necessarily align with the theory's core focus on the connection between attachment styles in infancy and adult romantic relationships. D. This option claims that all three of the above statements are true, but since options B and C are not entirely consistent with Hazan and Shaver's theory, this option cannot be correct.

Choose the correct option

Based on the analysis in Step 3, the correct answer is: A. romantic relationships in adulthood follow the same form as attachment relationships in infancy.

Key concepts

Romantic Relationships

Romantic relationships are deep emotional connections formed in adulthood, often involving elements such as intimacy, passion, and commitment. These relationships are more than just emotional bonds; they also require mutual understanding and support over time.
Understanding romantic relationships can be complex, as they often intertwine with the attachment styles that individuals develop early in life. How we connect emotionally in adulthood often mirrors the attachment styles we formed in our infancy, shaping how we love and what we expect from partners in adult relationships.

• Attachment styles influence the dynamics of romantic relationships.
• Emotional bonds in adulthood can reflect those experienced in infancy.

Infancy Attachment Styles

Infancy attachment styles are patterns of behaviour that describe how babies connect with their caregivers. These are crucial as they lay the foundation for relationships later in life. There are three main types of attachment styles that Hazan and Shaver focused on:

• Secure Attachment: Infants feel comfortable and safe, knowing their caregiver is reliable and responsive.
• Avoidant Attachment: Infants learn to be independent because their caregivers are often unavailable or unresponsive.
• Ambivalent Attachment: Infants are anxious because their caregivers' responses are inconsistent.

These styles are not just for infancy; they often carry into adulthood, impacting how people manage relationships far beyond their early years.

Hazan and Shaver's Theory

In 1987, Hazan and Shaver proposed that romantic love in adulthood follows patterns similar to attachment styles observed in childhood. This theory connects early emotional experiences with later romantic attachments.
They identified three primary attachment styles based on earlier work by Bowlby and Ainsworth and applied these to adult romantic relationships. According to their theory, understanding someone's early attachment can provide insights into their adult relationship behaviours.

• Adult relationships are seen as a reflection of early caregiver interactions.
• Early attachment styles can explain patterns in adult love, such as trust, dependency, and emotional regulation.

Secure Attachment

Secure attachment is the ideal model concerning how individuals connect with others. People with a secure attachment feel confident in their relationships because they have experienced consistent, loving care as infants.
In romantic relationships, these individuals tend to be open and trusting. They handle emotional challenges well and are comfortable with intimacy.

• These individuals balance personal space and togetherness effectively.
• They are generally less likely to experience jealousy and are more communicative.

Secure attachment fosters healthy, lasting romantic connections.

Avoidant Attachment

An avoidant attachment style develops when caregivers are often emotionally unavailable, leading children to become more self-reliant. While they can develop strong cognitive skills, emotionally, they might struggle with closeness.
In romantic relationships, these individuals may appear distant or detached. They might find it challenging to open up emotionally and might prioritize independence over intimacy.

• They can appear self-sufficient but maybe fear intimacy.
• They might retreat when relationships become too emotional.

This can lead to difficulties in forming deep, emotional connections.

Ambivalent Attachment

Ambivalent attachment arises from inconsistent responses from caregivers. This leaves the child in a state of uncertainty, often feeling anxious or unsure about the caregiver’s availability.
In adulthood, these individuals may highly desire closeness yet simultaneously fear rejection and lack of support. Their romantic relationships can be intense but filled with emotional highs and lows.

• They often worry about their partner's availability or love.
• Relationships can be marked by clinginess or dependency.

Their struggle revolves around balancing the need for closeness with fear of abandonment.