Attachment and information seeking in romantic relationships.

Full Abstract

Testing predictions derived from attachment theory, this research investigated how adult attachment orientations are associated with selective exposure to information about the self, one's partner, and one's relationship. The results of two studies revealed that (a) more avoidantly attached individuals have limited interest in knowing their partner's intimate thoughts and feelings, (b) more anxiously attached individuals selectively prefer information on intimate topics pertaining to their partner and relationship and focus on information that highlights their own as well as their partner's shortcomings, and (c) regardless of attachment orientation, individuals express interest in learning about the negative relationship behaviors and characteristics of their insecurely attached partners. These findings suggest that selective information seeking may have important effects on relationships and may help explain how attachment orientations affect important relationship outcomes.

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Author information

Author/s: Rholes, W Steven (WS); Simpson, Jeffry A (JA); Tran, Sisi (S); Martin, A McLeish (AM); Friedman, Mike (M);

Affiliation: Texas A&M University, USA.

Grants: MH49599 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Personality and social psychology bulletin (Pers Soc Psychol Bull), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Mar; vol 33 (issue 3) : pp 422-38

Dates: Created 2007/02/21; Completed 2007/05/08; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17312322, 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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