TY - JOUR
T1 - Differences in conversational skills as a function of attachment style
T2 - A follow-up study
AU - Guerrero, Laura K.
AU - Jones, Susanne M
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - A recent set of studies demonstrated that people evaluate their own and their partner's social skills differently as a function of attachment style. The present study extends this work by examining attachment-style differences in four conversational skills—expressiveness, composure, other-orientation, and interaction management—as rated by observers. To test for attachment-style differences, romantic couples were videotaped as they discussed relational problems or conflict issues. Based on a pretest, one of the romantic partners was targeted as representative of the secure, dismissive, fearful avoidant, or preoccupied attachment style. Two dimensions related to attachment—anxiety and avoidance—were also investigated in regard to their relations with conversational skills. Results suggest that the behavioral profiles largely reflect attachment theoretical assumptions for secures, dismissives, and fearful avoidants, and to a lesser extent, preoccupieds.
AB - A recent set of studies demonstrated that people evaluate their own and their partner's social skills differently as a function of attachment style. The present study extends this work by examining attachment-style differences in four conversational skills—expressiveness, composure, other-orientation, and interaction management—as rated by observers. To test for attachment-style differences, romantic couples were videotaped as they discussed relational problems or conflict issues. Based on a pretest, one of the romantic partners was targeted as representative of the secure, dismissive, fearful avoidant, or preoccupied attachment style. Two dimensions related to attachment—anxiety and avoidance—were also investigated in regard to their relations with conversational skills. Results suggest that the behavioral profiles largely reflect attachment theoretical assumptions for secures, dismissives, and fearful avoidants, and to a lesser extent, preoccupieds.
KW - Attachment
KW - Communication Competence
KW - Conversational Skill
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=55449096538&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/01463370500101014
DO - 10.1080/01463370500101014
M3 - Article
SN - 0146-3373
VL - 53
SP - 305
EP - 321
JO - Communication Quarterly
JF - Communication Quarterly
IS - 3
ER -