What is conscious in perceived attachment? Evidence from global and specific relationship representations

Abstract

Information processing involved in self-reported attachment may be a more reliable indicator of attachment style than are the self-reports themselves. To test this assumption, we compared incongruent global (i.e., vignette responses) and specific (i.e., multi-item) self-reported security in the parental and romantic realms. We found evidence of relations between global and specific incongruence and attachment style. Individuals exhibiting incongruence in the parental realm (i.e., secure global attachments regarding parents concurrent with insecure specific attachment) were relatively higher in preoccupied romantic attachment. Individuals incongruent in the romantic realm (i.e., secure specific attachments with partners concurrent with insecure global attachment) were higher in dismissive romantic attachment. The findings have implications for understanding the cognitive processing associated with consciously accessed attachment perceptions.