Bartholomew and Horowitz four-category model of adult attachment¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The article adopts Bartholomew and Horowitz's (1991) model, in which adult attachment is classified into four categories based on combinations of positive and negative models of self and others. "Secure individuals have both a positive self-view and a positive view of others", preoccupied individuals hold a negative self-view with a positive view of others, fearful individuals hold negative views of both, and dismissing individuals hold a positive self-view with a negative view of others. The study uses these four categories, measured with the Relationships Questionnaire, to predict shame, guilt, and loneliness.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Measurement of adult attachment via the Relationships Questionnaire, a single-item measure of four prototypical attachment patterns rated on a seven-point scale

Constraints¶

• The article notes that in Turkish culture the dismissing style may be considered to have a negative others model rather than a positive self model, differing from Western interpretations

Target Learners¶

• university students

Target Learning Objectives¶

• understanding how attachment styles relate to social-emotional experiences such as shame, guilt, and loneliness

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• Attachment internal working models as cognitive schemes linking early relationships to flexibility and adjustment

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Akbağ, M. & Erden İmamoğlu, S. (2010). The Prediction of Gender and Attachment Styles on Shame, Guilt, and Loneliness. Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 10(2), 669-682. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ889191