This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Whisman, M. A. Articles by Allan, L. E. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Attachment and Social Cognition Theories of Romantic Relationships: Convergent or Complementary Perspectives?

Yale University, whisman{at}minerva.cis.yale.edu

Laura E. Allan

Ohio State University

Adult attachment and social cognition perspectives of romantic relationships have developed relatively independently of one another, despite the fact that both stress the importance of cognitive conceptual frameworks of relationship functioning. This study examines the strength of the association between constructs from the two perspectives and their associations with concurrent relationship adjustment and 6-month longitudinal relationship dissolution. Results from 68 dating couples suggested a modest degree of convergence between measures of attachment, relationship beliefs and relationship attributions. Measures of both adult attachment and relationship beliefs and attributions were uniquely related to concurrent relationship adjustment, although between-partner differences on attachment and social cognition measures were largely unrelated to relationship adjustment. The only relationship cognition variable that was predictive of subsequent relationship dissolution was stronger endorsement by women of partner responsibility attributions (i.e. viewing negative partner behavior as blameworthy, intentional and selfishly motivated). These results suggest that attachment and social cognition may offer complementary perspectives of romantic relationships.

Key Words: cognition • dissolution • satisfaction

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. L. Collins, M. B. Ford, A. C. Guichard, and L. M. Allard Working Models of Attachment and Attribution Processes in Intimate Relationships Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 2006; 32(2): 201 - 219. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. N. Bradbury Invited Program Overview: Research on Relationships as a Prelude to Action Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, October 1, 2002; 19(5): 571 - 599. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. C. Gallo and T. W. Smith Attachment Style in Marriage: Adjustment and Responses to Interaction Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, April 1, 2001; 18(2): 263 - 289. [Abstract] [PDF]