Love and work: An attachment-theoretical perspective.

Abstract

The possibility that love and work in adulthood are functionally similar to attachment and exploration in infancy and early childhood was investigated. Key components of attachment theory—developed by Bowlby, A insworth, and others to explain the role of attachment in exploratory behavior —were translated into terms appropriate to adult love and work. The translation centered on the 3 major types of infant attachment and exploration identified by Ainsworth: secure, anxious/ambivalent, and avoidant. Two questionnaire studies indicated that relations between adult attachment type and work orientation are similar to attachment/exploration dynamics in infancy and early childhood, suggesting that the dynamics may be similar across the life span. Implications for research on the link between love and work are discussed, as are measurement problems and other issues related to future tests of an attachment-theoretical approach to the study of adults.

Cites (3)

1. Attachment and Loss. Vol. 1. Attachment
   Rever, George W. · 1972 · Psychosomatic Medicine
2. Adult attachment, working models, and relationship quality in dating couples.
   Collins, Nancy L., Read, Stephen J. · 1990 · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
3. Infant–mother attachment: Factors related to its development and changes over time
   Egeland, Byron, Farber, Ellen A. · 1984 · Child Development

Show all 3 references

Cited by (36)

1. High self-control predicts good adjustment, less pathology, better grades, and interpersonal success
   Tangney, June P., Baumeister, Roy F., Boone, Angie Luzio · 2004 · Journal of Personality
2. Approach and avoidance motivation and achievement goals
   Elliot, Andrew J. · 1999 · Educational Psychologist
3. Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions
   Fraley, R. Chris, Shaver, Phillip R. · 2000 · Review of General Psychology
4. The Attachment Behavioral System In Adulthood: Activation, Psychodynamics, And Interpersonal Processes
   Mikulincer, Mario, Shaver, Phillip R. · 2003 · Advances in Experimental Social Psychology
5. Evolutionary Psychology: A New Paradigm for Psychological Science
   Buss, David M. · 1995 · Psychological Inquiry

See all 1,220