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Related Concept Videos

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality01:27

Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality

The psychodynamic perspective in psychology asserts that most personality functions operate unconsciously, outside of awareness. This means that the motives and emotions driving behavior often remain hidden, automatically buried in the unconscious mind as a defense mechanism to shield us from psychological distress. According to this theory, the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are too disturbing to face directly.
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood03:34

Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood

Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
Attachment Styles01:24

Attachment Styles

Jeffrey Simpson's attachment theory suggests that early caregiver relationships shape lasting patterns of behavior and emotional regulation, known as attachment styles. These patterns are organized along two key dimensions: self-esteem and interpersonal trust. The intersection of these dimensions produces four primary attachment styles that typically persist throughout life and significantly influence how individuals form and maintain relationships.Secure Attachment StyleIndividuals with a...
Attachment01:20

Attachment

Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that physical...
Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles01:28

Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles

Attachment theory, developed initially to explain infant–caregiver bonds, has been extended to illuminate patterns of intimacy in adult romantic relationships. Psychologists Cindy Hazan and Phillip Shaver proposed that the attachment styles observed in infancy form a framework for how individuals approach emotional closeness and conflict in adulthood. These attachment styles—secure, avoidant, and anxious—are linked to enduring patterns of behavior and emotional regulation in adult relationships.

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Related Experiment Video

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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
09:55

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Published on: March 8, 2018

An attachment perspective on psychopathology.

Mario Mikulincer1, Philip R Shaver

  • 11School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, P.O. Box 167, Herzliya 46150, Israel.

World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA)
|February 2, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Attachment theory, initially for infant-parent bonds, now explains adult relationships and mental health. Attachment insecurity contributes to mental disorders, while enhancing security can improve psychological well-being.

Keywords:
Attachmentemotion regulationinterpersonal relationsmental healthpsychopathologysecurityself

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Attachment theory, initially focused on infant-parent bonding, has expanded to encompass adolescent and adult romantic relationships.
  • Its application now includes psychological processes like interpersonal functioning, emotion regulation, stress coping, and overall mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the attachment perspective on psychopathology.
  • To explore the intersection of individual differences in adult attachment and psychopathology research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research findings on attachment theory and psychopathology.
  • Examination of the link between attachment insecurity and mental disorders.
  • Analysis of the role of attachment security enhancement in psychopathology amelioration.

Main Results:

  • Attachment insecurity is identified as a significant contributing factor to the development of various mental disorders.
  • Research indicates that improving attachment security can lead to positive changes and improvements in mental health conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Attachment theory offers a valuable framework for understanding psychopathology.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing attachment security hold potential for treating and mitigating mental health issues.