Adult Attachment Interview Review

Adult Attachment Interview Review

John Bowlby, the psychoanalyst that originated the attachment theory, proposed that human motivation is organized by innate behavioral systems that facilitate adjustment and survival. He also explained the infant-mother bond in terms of the need for protection, security, and affection. He also paid considerable attention to the child-parent interactions and the ways in which early experiences influence adult behavior and expectations. Attachment is defined as an enduring emotional tie with a specific other. Attachment systems extend throughout the life span and is indicated by adult’s capability to become emotionally attached to a close relationship partner, using them as a source of love, support, and encouragement. A child or adult who feels threatened and inadequately protected or supported has a difficult time directing attention to play, curiously exploring objects and environments, and establishing mutually rewarding relationships with others. Over time these issues can interfere with self-development (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2013).  

            When learning about the Adult Attachment Interview in Human Growth and Development class, I found it very interesting. We were able to perform a piece of the interview with a peer to get a feel for the test instrument. We were to ask our peer to describe their childhood relationship with their mother and then their father in four (normally five) adjectives. It was a great experience to see how others responded to the question and then being put in the same situation yourself. In the class discussion we talked about what we gained from the exercise. We all agreed that it was easy to come up with the adjectives, but when it came down to giving a specific story to support the adjective it took a little more time to think about. The words you choose and the stories you told are not really the focus when coding the AAI and I found that to be very interesting. It is more about how you answer, what you say, and your reactions. The classifications of the AAI are secure autonomous, preoccupied, dismissive, and unresolved for loss or abuse. By your reaction and what you say you are classified as one of the categories. While listening to my peers give their story for the adjective I was able to get a feel for their tone, see the look of joy or sadness on their face, and tell if what they were saying was sincere.

            If you are considered secure autonomous people would have a consistent story that is of quality, quantity, relevance, and order.  Dismissive would be brief, have notable contradictions, generalized representations, and consist of idealism. Preoccupied transcripts would be long, have unfinished sentences, vague expression, and often sound confused.  Unresolved adults would have stories that center around traumatic events such as loss or abuse. Sometime unresolved adults will talk about a dead person as if they are still alive and consist of prolonged silence or trance-like state of speaking.

            I was able to pick up on the fact that how the person told the story had a great deal of meaning before we even discussed it in class and by seeing how the transcripts would be recorded shows signs that could be pick up on, making it very obvious as to why I believed so. I also believe that your attachment style with your parent affects your attachment as an adult to other people such as your significant other. Several studies have shown that higher scores on measures of attachment anxiety and avoidance are associated with lower scores on measures of sensitive and responsive caregiving to a romantic partner (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2013).

            I believe that adult attachment emphasizes how much of an impact early life can have on us later in life and that those experiences help shape us. I find comfort in knowing that even though a person may not be of the secure attachment type that it is possible that they can work towards becoming secure. There is hope!  

References

            Mikulincer, M. & Shaver, P. (2013). Adult attachment orientation and relationship process. Journal of Family Theory & Review 4. 259-274.