1 Final Project Master of Science in Health Psychology, Walden University PSYC 6200/8252: Themes and Theories of Psychology Dr. Nadine Lukes-Dyer 02, 2022 2 Final Project Intimacy is characterized by having a close and connected bond originating from emotional investment and developing warmth in loving relationships (Myers, 2022). An intimate relationship is a basic need necessary for human wellbeing, involving physical, emotional, and psychological intimacy (Obeid et al., 2020). Theories Based on the mentioned descriptions, I believe cognitive psychology and attachment theory are appropriate to consider in this case. Cognitive psychology studies organisms' mental processes and structures to specify how they affect cognitive performance and behaviors, such as perception and motivation (McLeod, 2015). In other words, the mental processes have mediational effects between an environmental stimulus and responses from the organism (McLeod, 2015). For example, Schemata are inherited mental frameworks of the world that consist of beliefs and expectations, evolve with detailed experiences, and make sense of situations (McLeod, 2018; McLeod, 2015). Attachment is defined as a deep, long-lasting emotional and psychological bond between two people who feel more secure due to its presence (McLeod, 2017). Attachment theory illustrates the initial parent-child relationship that creates a secure base for exploring the world if adequately developed during infancy's critical period (McLeod, 2017). Attachment styles are formed through continuing a certain level of proximity to one primary caregiver by attachment behaviors and transactions (Huang, 2020). Attachment styles shape individuals' internal working model, which impacts how they understand and behave in future adults' relationships, such as friendships, working, and romantic ones (Huang, 2020). 3 Theories Compared Through five peer-reviewed articles, cognitive psychology and attachment theory were both used to investigate a variety of factors constructing the foundation of healthy intimate relationships. On the other hand, it is found that attachment styles should be interpreted cautiously in different contexts since they may alter across time (Huang, 2020). In comparison, cognitive psychology utilizes controlled study methods and produces more reliable data (McLeod, 2015). Furthermore, mental processes contain broad areas of application, and as a result, they have extensive effects on intimate relationships such as perception, autonomy, and schema (McLeod, 2015). At the same time, attachment theory relies on fundamentally essential variables (three attachment styles) that develop during infancy and permanently influence people's lives (Huang, 2020). Argue for Superior Theory Don and Hammond (2017) conducted a study regarding individuals with relationship autonomy who genuinely choose to be in a relationship and feel determined to invest in it. The research was able to find the significant role of autonomy on support interactions between partners leading to positive relationship experiences (Don & Hammond, 2017). The findings provided a unique contribution to the literature by showing that autonomy was a stronger predictor of support interactions than attachment style (Don & Hammond, 2017). To put it differently, in contrast to attachment styles, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivations in relationships have highlighted benefits on understanding partners' intimate interactions and close relationships' functions (Don & Hammond, 2017). That is why I believe cognitive psychology is superior in this matter. 4 Increased Understanding Associated with the Two Theories Attachment and schemata The inhibited capacity which makes exchanging thoughts and personal feelings hard for people is called fear of intimacy (FOI) (Obeid et al., 2020). Obeid et al. (2020) assessed the correlation between FOI, attachment, and maladaptive schemata. Higher scores of FOI were associated with increased defectiveness, mistrust schema, and avoidant attachment style, which have adverse effects on maintaining relationships (Obeid et al., 2020). People with avoidant attachment styles tend to keep emotional distance from their partners, maintain control, deny the importance of care and love, and quit relationships easily (Obeid et al., 2020). People with maladaptive schemata do not believe that their needs, such as belonging and security, will ever be fulfilled; on the other hand, they keep partners away from relationship problems or overly give attention to them (Obeid et al., 2020). Knowledge and attachment Cruz (2014) determined the effects of sex knowledge and parent-child attachment on intimate relationship satisfaction. In this research, sex knowledge was defined as being knowledgeable in all aspects of sex and sexuality, for instance, reproductive, performative, and interpersonal (Cruz, 2014). Also, intimate relationship satisfaction was defined by "independence, equality of decision making, intimacy, liberated beliefs about sexual roles, assertive conflict resolution, communication, and romance" (Cruz, 2014, p. 4). Data indicated that more sex knowledge was positively related to liberated beliefs about sexual roles, while adequate mother care was correlated with increased independence and assertive conflict resolution. On the Contrary, having overprotective mothers resulted in less independent individuals who negatively affect intimate relationship satisfaction (Cruz, 2014). 5 Perception With rejection sensitivity (RS), individuals generally expect others to reject them (Richter & Schoebi, 2021). Additionally, they perceive it and overreact to it if they get rejected which makes them vulnerable to close relationships (Richter & Schoebi, 2021). Through a peerreviewed article, Richter and Schoebi (2021) examined the role of RS in experiencing rejection and perceptions of partner responsiveness. It was indicated that RS was associated with perceiving rejection and bilaterally reducing responsiveness from individuals who feel rejected and their partners (Richter & Schoebi, 2021). Coping mechanism and attachment style Rumination is a coping style that includes maladaptive self-reflection generated from repetitive rehearsal of recent social events and internal experiences (Reynolds et al., 2014). Reynolds et al. (2014) demonstrated the association between attachment styles and rumination among adults in intimate relationships. Rumination was less probable for adults with secure attachment styles; however, ambivalent individuals were more likely to engage in this unproductive coping style, and dismissive people were the most involved (Reynolds et al., 2014). Greater levels of rumination resulted in guarded people with emotional distance who suppress their feelings towards partners (Reynolds et al., 2014). Autonomy/ intrinsic motivation The role of relationship autonomy was investigated on interactions between support seekers and providers in relationships (Don & Hammond, 2017). Findings showed that people with higher self-determination perceive support interactions as less stressful and more moodboosters (Don & Hammond, 2017). In addition, when conflict arises, they request support with a 6 positive approach, and when they are asked, they deliver support in a productive way (Don & Hammond, 2017). Cultural Aspects of Theory Application Obeid et al. (2020) studied the correlation between fear of intimacy, attachment, and maladaptive schemata among Lebanon residents for the first time. This data showed the importance of early life interactions on intimate relationships. The study aimed to spread awareness among Lebanese parents, counseling services, and disease prevention centers to get hints and establish necessary strategies to help at-risk individuals (Obeid et al., 2020). Cruz (2014) conducted his study among Mozambican college students. Mozambique is generally a pro-male country where adolescents usually receive sex knowledge from teachers instead of parents (Cruz, 2014). After years of civil war, mother-child attachment has been regulated, and traditional child-rearing practices have been disrupted in large cities and rural areas of this country (Cruz, 2014). Then again, Mozambican's relationship satisfaction decreased, and the divorce rate increased, which is why this research has been done for scientific purposes (Cruz, 2014). Conclusion Cognitive psychology and attachment theory contributed to the literature of healthy intimate relationships based on specific effects of different variables, research methods, and perspectives. All five included articles evaluated the influences of cognitive psychology's components such as schemata, knowledge, perception, coping mechanism, and motivation. Three of five of the mentioned peer-reviewed research estimated the impacts of adults' attachment styles on close relationships. The importance of all the variables was proved in the conducted studies, which indicate that attachment theory/ styles and cognitive psychology can provide a 7 good understanding of healthy intimate relationships. Simultaneously, these theories highlight the essential need to address problematic aspects of mentioned factors (e.g., unproductive schemata, avoidant and dismissive attachment styles, rejection sensitivity, and rumination) as well as underline their positive applications needed the proper attention to get fostered (e.g., secure attachment style, sex knowledge, and relationship autonomy). 8 References Cruz, G. V. (2014). The effect of sex knowledge, parent–child attachment, and family characteristics on intimate relationship satisfaction of Mozambican students. Sexuality & Culture: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly, 18(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119013-9170-9 Don, B. P., & Hammond, M. D. (2017). Social support in intimate relationships: The role of relationship autonomy. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(8), 1112–1124. Huang, S. (2020). Attachment styles. Simply psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/attachment-styles.html McLeod, S. A. (2015). Cognitive psychology. Simply psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive.html McLeod, S. A. (2017). Attachment theory. Simply psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/attachment.html McLeod, S. A. (2018). Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Simply psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html Myers, E. (2022). Sternberg's triangular theory and the 8 types of love. Simply psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/types-of-love-we-experience.html Obeid, S., Sacre, H., Haddad, C., Akel, M., Fares, K., Zakhour, M., Kheir, N., Salameh, P., & Hallit, S. (2020). Factors associated with fear of intimacy among a representative sample of the Lebanese population: The role of depression, social phobia, selfâesteem, intimate partner violence, attachment, and maladaptive schemas. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 56(3), 486–494. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12438 9 Richter, M., & Schoebi, D. (2021). Rejection sensitivity in intimate relationships: Implications for perceived partner responsiveness. Zeitschrift Für Psychologie, 229(3), 165–170. https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000448 Reynolds, S., Searight, H. R., & Ratwik, S. (2014). Adult attachment style and rumination in the context of intimate relationships. North American Journal of Psychology, 16(3), 495– 506.
