Attachment : predicting non verbal behaviour, interaction quality and perception accuracy in romantic and stranger dyads

Abstract

A variety of non-verbal behaviours were coded and rated from videotaped interactions between 28 stranger and 28 couple dyads. A composite measure of Bartholomew’s (1990, 1991) RSQ & RQ attachment scales was used to derive a four-type attachment typology. Based on this, three hypotheses were tested. Firstly, that attachment style would influence the non-verbal behaviours exhibited in both the stranger and couple dyads; Secondly, interpersonal perception accuracy would vary, depending on an individual’s attachment style; Thirdly, evaluations of interaction quality between the four attachment styles would reveal differences. There was limited support for most of the hypotheses. It was found that the attachment system is triggered and influences non-verbal behaviour in stranger dyads. Findings in the couple dyads were mixed, however. Differences in the interpersonal perception accuracy and evaluations of interaction quality were found to be influenced by attachment styles in both the stranger and couple dyads. There may be methodological reasons for these mixed results, and these are discussed.