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. 2014 Feb;40(2):164-74.
doi: 10.1177/0146167213507779. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

Congruence between spouses' perceptions and observers' ratings of responsiveness: the role of attachment avoidance

Lindsey A Beck  1 , Paula R Pietromonaco, Cassandra C DeVito, Sally I Powers, Alysia M Boyle
Affiliations

Congruence between spouses' perceptions and observers' ratings of responsiveness: the role of attachment avoidance

Lindsey A Beck et al. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Although close relationships require partners to depend on one another for mutual responsiveness, avoidantly attached individuals are especially averse to risking such dependency. The authors propose that both avoidant and non-avoidant individuals perceive signs of their own and their partners' responsiveness in ways that reflect motivated perceptions of dependency. The present research examined how the interplay between spouses' attachment avoidance and observed responsive behaviors during marital conflict shaped perceptions of their own and their partners' responsiveness. Newlywed couples attempted to resolve a relationship conflict and then reported perceptions of their own and their partners' responsiveness during the conflict. Observers also coded both partners' responsive behaviors during the conflict. Avoidant spouses perceived themselves as less responsive, especially when observers rated them as more responsive; avoidant spouses also perceived their partners as less responsive. The discussion highlights the role of attachment in understanding links between responsiveness-related perceptions and behaviors.

Keywords: adult attachment; behavior; close relationships; perceptions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Husbands’ observer-rated responsiveness moderates the relationship between husbands’ attachment avoidance and husbands’ perceptions of own responsiveness.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Husbands’ observer-rated responsiveness moderates the relationship between wives’ attachment avoidance and wives’ perceptions of husbands’ responsiveness.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Wives’ observer-rated responsiveness moderates the relationship between wives’ attachment avoidance and husbands’ perceptions of wives’ responsiveness.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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