The secure base script concept: an overview

Research suggests that, among other things, attachment representations take the form of a cognitive script. Evidence in support of this perspective suggests that this `secure base script' is learned in the context of early caregiving experiences, stable across time and context in adulthood, and a guide for adult attachment behavior. However, in a field as mature as adult attachment, newer constructs such as secure base script must address the `old wine in a new bottle' critique. This article presents a brief overview of the extant literature on the secure base script and concludes by framing these findings in the larger context of adult attachment research aimed at addressing this critique.