Source status: research term from attachment theory and relationship science.
Attachment concerns expectations and strategies connected with important bonds, especially when closeness, separation, distress or support becomes salient.
Adult attachment is often studied along dimensions such as anxiety and avoidance. It is not a permanent four-type identity, a diagnosis or a complete explanation of a relationship. A person may respond differently across relationships and over time.
Different from: attunement. Attachment concerns the organisation of important bonds and expectations around them. Attunement concerns how closely a response meets what is actually happening for another person.
Related: Attunement; Relational Learning; Emotional Hunger; Living on Love Crumbs.
