Abstract
In this dissertation, the physiological effects of attachment theory were investigated with respect to the Polyvagal theory. The aim of the study is to investigate comparatively whether there is a physiological change that can be proven by activating the attachment system as a result of romantic relationship and vital threat with emotional stimuli through the participants who are classified as avoidant and anxious attachment dimensions by applying ECR scale. 60 participants divided into the two groups; avoidant and anxious were exposed to visual stimulus in three qualified categories (romantic relationship-positive, neutral and romantic relationship-negative) for 12 min. Skin conductance level (SCL) computed from GSR by measuring changes in the conductivity of the skin regulated by the Autonomic Nervous System. In order to observe the changes in facial expressions regulated by the VII. cranial nerve, the metrics of 7 basic emotions in AFFDEX facial expression analysis modules (anger, sadness, disgust, happiness, etc.) were analyzed with "Time Percentage". Thus, it was investigated whether there was a statistically significant difference in terms of physiological change between two different groups in three different stimulus categories. It was observed that there is no significant difference in the measurement of SCL μS/m of two groups. However, when peaks were included in the analyses, it was observed that the anxious group have more peak counts then the avoidant groups in terms of romantic positive, romantic negative, and polyvagal -negative measures (χ2 (4)= 45,084, p=.000). As for AFFDEX analyses, Positive, Sadness (mean, 0.03 ss = 0.26 - mean 00 p = .014), Neutral, sadness (mean, 0.15 sd = 1.53 - mean .00 p = .025) Negative, fear (mean, 0.12 sd = 1.06 - mean.00 p = .045) Negative time percentage (mean: 0.33 sd = 2.58 – mean: 2.43 ss = 11.24 p = .038) were observed significant differences between groups. As a result, it is assumed that revealing concrete and important findings on biological markers of adult attachment with respect to the framework of polyvagal theory would provide both theoretical and practical contributions to the field.
Highlights
The attachment system is an evolutionary system that is vital for the survival of the newborn and is not unique to humans but is seen in all mammals in nature
60 healty-volunteers who were divided into two groups as avoidant and anxious attachment according to their Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised (ECR-R) scores
The important findings of the study were observed that there is no significant difference in the measurement of Skin conductance level (SCL) μS/m of two groups
Summary
The attachment system is an evolutionary system that is vital for the survival of the newborn and is not unique to humans but is seen in all mammals in nature. The main emphasis of attachment theory, which was put forward by John Bowlby (1982) has been on the emotional bonds between the caregiver and the infant, the formation process of these bonds and their functions. Attachment studies focused on behavior patterns between caregiver and infant. As a result of recent attachment studies, adult attachment has become an important theory used to explain cognitive, emotional and behavioral patterns in adults' relationships with others (Zuvela, 2014). Adult attachment literature has shown that attachment bonds hierarchically transference to another adult in romantic relationships and this transference process is similar to early relationships with caregiver and infant (Mikulincer et al, 2000). Attachment researchers have indicated that individual differences in attachment orientations are associated with romantic relationships, relationship satisfaction and social adaptation in adulthood. Polyvagal theory give us a way about conceptualize the biology of attachment and trying to uncover biological markers of adult attachment
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