Differences in Conversational Skills as a Function of Attachment Style: A Follow-up Study

Abstract

A recent set of studies demonstrated that people evaluate their own and their partner's social skills differently as a function of attachment style. The present study extends this work by examining attachment-style differences in four conversational skills—expressiveness, composure, other-orientation, and interaction management—as rated by observers. To test for attachment-style differences, romantic couples were videotaped as they discussed relational problems or conflict issues. Based on a pretest, one of the romantic partners was targeted as representative of the secure, dismissive, fearful avoidant, or preoccupied attachment style. Two dimensions related to attachment—anxiety and avoidance—were also investigated in regard to their relations with conversational skills. Results suggest that the behavioral profiles largely reflect attachment theoretical assumptions for secures, dismissives, and fearful avoidants, and to a lesser extent, preoccupieds.

Keywords:

• Conversational Skill
• Attachment
• Communication Competence

Notes

Laura Guerrero (PhD, University of Arizona, 1994) is a Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. Susanne Jones (PhD, Arizona State University, 2000) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Please address all correspondence to Dr. Laura Guerrero, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1205, USA (Email: [email protected]). The authors would like to thank Tami Collingswood, Lauren Kellogg, Tammy Miller, Michael Rabby, and Ryan Smith for their assistance in coding and entering the data.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susanne M. Jones

Laura Guerrero (PhD, University of Arizona, 1994) is a Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. Susanne Jones (PhD, Arizona State University, 2000) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Please address all correspondence to Dr. Laura Guerrero, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication; Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1205, USA (Email: [email protected]). The authors would like to thank Tami Collingswood, Lauren Kellogg, Tammy Miller, Michael Rabby, and Ryan Smith for their assistance in coding and entering the data.