Speaking of Psychology Attachment bonds: Understanding our closest relationships, with Ximena Arriaga, PhD
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Jun 4, 2025 Ximena Arriaga, PhD, is a Professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University, specializing in close relationship bonds. She discusses how our early experiences shape our attachment styles, revealing that these styles are not fixed and can evolve over time. The conversation dives into strategies for fostering emotional security within relationships, especially for partners dealing with anxiety and self-worth issues. Arriaga also emphasizes the importance of identity reclamation after abusive dynamics, advocating for healthy communication and support.
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Understanding Attachment Styles
- Attachment styles describe how secure or anxious people feel in close relationships, especially under stress or risk.
- People vary mainly on two dimensions: attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance, influencing their social expectations and reactions.
Roots of Attachment Bonds
- Attachment bonds originate from birth and have evolved to ensure survival through caregiving.
- Adult relationship security largely depends on past relationship histories and how one has been treated by close others.
Attachment Style Behaviors
- Secure individuals feel comfortable trusting partners and handling relationship crises calmly.
- Anxious people overreact to minor issues due to past insecurities, while avoidant types suppress emotions and avoid intimacy.