Attachment predicting nonverbal behaviour, interaction quality and perception accuracy in romantic and stranger dyads

Abstract

This study examined the nonverbal, interaction quality and perceptual accuracy correlates of attachment style within two interactions groups; strangers and romantic couples. Twenty eight stranger dyads and twenty eight romantic dyads were videotaped interacting for four minutes in their respective pairs and then completed a self report measure of attachment style, interaction quality and perceptual accuracy. The dyads nonverbal behaviour was coded for specific nonverbal cues and qualities theoretically associated with attachment style. The two attachment dimensions of anxiousness and avoidance and the four attachment sub-scales of secure, fearful, preoccupied and dismissing correlated with a number of different nonverbal behaviours but not enough to determine distinct pattern of nonverbal attachment projection. A significant difference between the stranger and romantic nonverbal behaviours was apparent. Positive self models of attachment were associated with increased interaction quality. Also an association between negative other models of attachment and perceptual state inaccuracy in stranger dyads.