An Attachment Perspective On Human Sociability: Interpersonal Goals, Mental Representations, and Information Processing

Mario Mikulincer, Phillip R. Shaver

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Attachment theory has become one of the leading approaches to conceptualizing and studying human sociability in general, and social relationships in particular. In this chapter, we explore the relevance of attachment theory for understanding individual diferences in interpersonal behavior. We begin with a brief summary of attachment theory and an account of the two major dimensions of attachment styles in adulthood, attachment anxiety, and avoidance. We then review evidence concerning the associations between these dimensions and interpersonal behavior, proposing that the associations are mediated by both attachment-related cognitive-motivational predispositions (goal structures, mental representations of self and others, mental scripts concerning social transactions) and patterns of information-processing biases during social interactions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Psychology of Sociability
Subtitle of host publicationUnderstanding Human Attachment
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages219-238
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781000594591
ISBN (Print)9781032193076
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Taylor and Francis.

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