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OVERVIEW
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Write a 3–4-page assessment in which you examine possible connections between adult attachment styles and the types of love that adults develop.
Theories and research about attachment and love can be applied to both one’s personal and professional life.
SHOW LESS
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
• Competency 1: Apply information literacy and research skills to locate scholarly information in the field of social psychology.
• Use valid, scholarly research resources relevant to the field of social psychology.
• Competency 3: Analyze social psychological theory and research to explain personal, professional, and social issues.
• Examine the relationship between adult attachment styles and types of adult love.
• Explain how research on love and attachment can be used to help individuals in a professional setting.
• Competency 7: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in the field of psychology.
• Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.
• Use APA format and style.
CONTEXT
There are various theories on love and attachment that highlight just how complicated romantic relationships are. Even with their complexities, it is important for us to understand adult attachment and types of love so we may assist those we may serve in making sense of their relationships and helping them build and maintain long and satisfying partnerships. As psychology professionals with knowledge in facilitating acceptance and weathering rejection, we can be part of assisting others in fulfilling this important human need by successfully building feelings of belonging in social relationships.
Based on the work of Phillip Shaver and others, Baumeister and Bushman (2014) describe four types of adult attachment styles:
• Secure.
• Preoccupied.
• Dismissing avoidant.
• Fearful avoidant.
Research has identified that these attachment styles can be reliably classified (Shaver, as cited in Baumeister & Bushman, 2014).
In the (1986) triangular theory of love, Robert Sternberg identifies seven types of adult love based on levels of three dimensions: passion, intimacy, and commitment.
Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love
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Type of Adult Love
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Intimacy
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Passion
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Commitment
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Infatuation
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X
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|
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Fatuous love
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X
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X
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Liking
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X
|
|
|
|
Empty love
|
|
|
X
|
|
Romantic love
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X
|
X
|
|
|
Companionate love
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X
|
|
X
|
|
Consummate love
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X
|
X
|
X
|
References
Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Sternberg, R. J. (1986). A triangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93(2), 119–135
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community
• Why do we fall in love?
• What drives our feelings of attraction to a specific type of person?
• What patterns of attraction can you identify in your own relationship choices?
RESOURCES
” Suggested Resources
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Library Resources
The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course. Note: Some of the articles listed are fairly old and are included here because they are considered seminal works in the field.
• Abele, A. E., & Brack, S. (2013). Preference for other persons’ traits is dependent on the kind of social relationship. Social Psychology, 44(2), 84–94.
• Anderson, S. L., Adams, G., & Plaut, V. C. (2008). The cultural grounding of personal relationship: The importance of attractiveness in everyday life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(2), 352–368.
• Ayduk, O., Mendoza-Denton, R., Mischel, W., Downey, G., Peake, P. K., & Rodriguez, M. (2000). Regulating the interpersonal self: Strategic self-regulation for coping with rejection sensitivity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 776–792.
• Eastwick, P. W., & Hunt, L. L. (2014). Relational mate value: Consensus and uniqueness in romantic evaluations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(5), 728–751.
• Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008). The attachment system in fledgling relationships: An activating role for attachment anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(3), 628–647.
• Feeney, J. A., & Noller, P. (1990). Attachment style as a predictor of adult romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(2), 281–291.
• Oswald, R. (2002). Inclusion and belonging in the family rituals of gay and lesbian people. Journal of Family Psychology, 16(4), 428–436.
” Course Library Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the Introduction to Social Psychology Library Guide to help direct your research.
Internet Resources
Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have either been granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication. Note: To access the videos in Clips for Class, use the link, then scroll to the appropriate video.
• Cengage Learning. (2014). Clips for Class: Social: Emotion and Affect: The science of love – the Aron study | Transcript. Retrieved from www.clipsforclass.com/social#emotion
Bookstore Resources
The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.
• Baumeister, R. F., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). Social psychology & human nature (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
• Chapters 11 and 12.
ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Assessment Instructions
Look in the Capella library for research articles on the topic of attachment styles in adulthood, theories of love, and the relationship between attachment styles and types of love. Consider whether there is a connection between adult attachment styles and the types of love adults develop. In your assessment, include the following:
• Examine the relationship between Sternberg’s triangular theory of love and types of adult attachment as described by Baumeister and Bushman (see the Context for this assessment).
• Are specific types of attachment related to specific types of love?
• Does research support a connection between type of adult attachment and type of adult love?
• Explain how a psychology professional can use the research on attachment styles and types of love to help people prepare for success in couple relationships.
Your submitted assessment should be 3–4 pages in length, excluding title page and reference page. Be sure to follow APA guidelines for format and style.
Additional Requirements
• Include a title page and reference page.
• At least three current scholarly or professional resources.
APA format.
