Attachment studies are a critical information source on the dynamics of attachments. Earlier studies have concentrated their efforts on the study of infant-caregiver attachment. However, researchers have tried to apply attachment theory to romantic relationships in adults. Little of adult based attachment studies are based on observation of couples in a natural setting. Numerous studies are based on undergraduates in the laboratory setting, and involved correlation of self-reported attachment styles with self-reported outcomes. The difficulty in obtaining a natural environment that can activate attachment and yet use unobtrusive techniques limits the ability to conduct a definitive study on adults. The article on airport separation reports the outcome of an observation of couples temporarily separating from each other in an airport. The researchers observed the pairs unobtrusively and also collected independent self-report measures on adult attachment styles as well as their relationship history. The researchers followed the couples until they separated by either boarding the same plane or one partner boarding the flight. Through the observation, the researcher was able to answer questions on how attachment is manifested, how attachment behavior is activated and differ with the availability of the partner and lastly how strategies regulated for individuals with different attachment styles. By answering the three questions in a natural setting, the researchers had an opportunity to examine the validity of adult attachment theory. The airport was an ideal location for studying adult attachment dynamics as the impending departure activates attachment related issues on the safety and availability of the partner (Fraley & Shaver, 1998; Twenge & Campbell, 2017).
Possible locations for observing attachment in adults
Some of the places or situations in which attachment can be seen include railway station or bus station as couples bid each other farewell or if both are traveling together. The couples are likely to be concerned about the safety of the other as they travel and therefore, they are likely to display attachment behavior as they await their turn to travel. A sad moment is when one of the couples is seriously ill and admitted to a hospital and the other couple visits during visiting hours. Similarly, such behaviors can be seen in action when in the burial ceremony of one of the partners (Fraley & Shaver, 1998).
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The findings in the airport study suggest a favorable thing on secure and insecure attachment. The sustained interaction between the couples helps them in developing attachment behaviors where each one cares for the other couples that display such behaviors demonstrate the presence or absence of care from the other enabling the researcher to decode the status of the relationship. Couples can express signs of attachment to each other where they provide quick and stable attention to care and safety of each other. Couples who demonstrate strong attachment shows stable relationships that are free from violence. The situation was stressful enough to allow the subjects to display attachment related issues. Through such studies, it is possible to identify conditions that can trigger such concerns. It is possible to relate the findings to those identified in studies concerning children and enabling the researcher to examine the different factors that influence attachment (Fraley & Shaver, 1998; Twenge & Campbell, 2017).
Attachment styles
Ainsworth (1970), identified three types of attachment s; secure, avoidant and insecure. According to her, these attachments are as a result of the initial interaction between a child and the mother. Secure attachment is a situation in which a person feels confident that the other is available and therefore can meet their needs. Such individuals can explore the environment and seek the other partner in times of distress. A securely attached couple can easily be soothed by the other when they are upset. In most cases, a secure attachment arises if the couples are sensitive to each other and respond appropriately to the needs of the other. Couples who exhibit this style are likely to be responsive, available and helpful to each other.
Insecure-avoidant style exists if couples do not orient to each other as they investigate their environment. The couples are independent both physically and emotionally. If one partner is distressed, they do not seek the attention or contact of the other. In most cases, one of the couples might have experienced insensitive and rejecting caregiver. A partner might opt to withdraw from assisting the other in challenging tasks and in most cases unavailable in times of need.
An insecure-ambivalent or resistant style is the third attachment that can be displayed by couples. One of them will exhibit ambivalent behavior towards the other. Some have a clingy or dependent response and will most likely reject the other when they interact. They do not develop any feelings of security but find it hard to move on and explore their surroundings. Being able to understand the three types of attachment style is beneficial to the researcher as they can be able to draw a clear distinction as to why some couples behave uniquely (Ainsworth, 1970).
Research findings
Different behavioral observations that are similar to those exhibited by children were recorded from the study. The variation of adult attachment dynamics was examined in phase two as a function of availability, length of the relationship and attachment style. Results showed that proximity maintenance behavior like contact seeking, care to give and contact maintenance were more profound in individuals who were separating irrespective of their gender. Sexual responses were observable in separating couples than those were traveling together. However, defensive behaviors in the two groups were rare. The attachment system is molded in a way that it activates proximity maintenance behavior in case the availability of a partner is in question (Fraley & Shaver, 1998).
The airport study provides an invaluable insight into the performance of operation attachment system in adults. There are similarities in attachment systems in children and adults and similar factors affected both groups. The findings from the study can be used to support and extend the use of attachment in romantic relationships.
References
Ainsworth, M. D. S., & Bell, S. M. (1970). Attachment, exploration, and separation: Illustrated by the behavior of one-year-olds in a strange situation. Child Development, 41 , 49-67.
Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (1998).Airport separations: A naturalistic study of adult attachment dynamics in separating couples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 75 (5), 1198–1212. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.75.5.1198
Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, K. (2017). Personality Psychology: Understand Yourself and Others (1st Edition). Bookshelf Online.
