Navigating the interdependence dilemma: Attachment goals and the use of communal norms with potential close others.

Full Abstract

Four studies investigated attachment in the context of new relationship development. Anxiously attached individuals overwhelmingly used communal norms and avoided using exchange norms when interacting with a potential close other; however, when a potential close other used communal norms, anxious individuals experienced increased interpersonal anxiety. Anxious individuals also used discrete communal behaviors to diagnose relationship potential. By contrast, secure individuals were more comfortable in potential communal situations. Moreover, implicit thoughts about closeness were associated with improved performance on a mental concentration task for secure individuals, whereas implicit closeness thoughts were associated with poorer performance for anxious individuals. Finally, avoidant individuals disliked the potential close other when the other used communal norms and downplayed relational motives for the other's communal behavior.Copyright 2006 APA, all rights reserved.

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Author information

Author/s: Bartz, Jennifer A (JA); Lydon, John E (JE);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada. jennifer.bartz(-atsign-)mssm.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jul; vol 91 (issue 1) : pp 77-96

Dates: Created 2006/07/12; Completed 2007/01/12;

PMID: 16834481, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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