Abstract
We propose a model documenting the relationship between interpersonal attachment style and identification with groups. We hypothesized that following threat to a romantic interpersonal relationship higher attachment anxiety would be associated with lowered tendencies to identify with groups. In two studies using varied social groups we observed support for this hypothesis. In Experiment 1 we found that participants higher in attachment anxiety identified less with a salient ingroup after imagining a distressing argument with their romantic partner. In Experiment 2 we replicated these findings using an implicit measure of social identification and additionally observed a moderating role for attachment avoidance. We discuss the implications of these findings for theoretical models of interpersonal attachment and social identification.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 115-122 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology |
Volume | 45 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Attachment
- Interpersonal relations
- Social identification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science