Hazan and Shaver's Attachment Styles

Hazan and Shaver proposed that adult romantic relationships reflect the infant attachment styles originally identified by Mary Ainsworth.

First is secure attachment, where infants explore freely when their caregiver is present, show distress when separated, and seek comfort when reunited.

This early bond lays the foundation for adult intimacy, with trust helping sustain relationships through conflict.

Securely attached adults are comfortable with closeness, unconcerned about dependence or abandonment, and typically have stable, satisfying relationships.

Second is avoidant attachment, in which infants show little distress when separated and minimal attachment behavior when reunited.

Avoidant adults tend to avoid closeness, invest less emotionally, and are more likely to end relationships. They may express either fearfulness or dismissiveness.

Lastly, in anxious attachment, infants cling to their caregiver, cry when separated, and remain distressed even after the reunion.

Anxiously attached adults often struggle with trust and fear of being replaced, which can lead to jealousy and possessiveness.

They may react with intense emotion and anger during conflict and experience repeated breakups with the same partner.