What Are the Four Attachment Styles?

Attachment styles, rooted in John Bowlby’s attachment theory and Mary Ainsworth’s "Strange Situation" study, describe how early interactions with caregivers shape individuals' approaches to relationships. These styles, developed in childhood, influence how people seek, maintain, and react to emotional connections throughout life.

There are four primary attachment styles:

Secure Attachment: Individuals with a secure attachment feel comfortable with intimacy and independence. This style is linked to consistent, nurturing caregiving in childhood, fostering trust and healthy emotional bonds. Securely attached people communicate effectively, manage conflict well, and form stable, long-lasting relationships.
Anxious (Preoccupied) Attachment: People with an anxious attachment style fear abandonment and often seek constant reassurance in relationships. They may appear clingy, overly sensitive, or dependent. This style typically stems from inconsistent caregiving, where emotional needs were met unpredictably, leading to insecurity and dependency in later relationships.
Avoidant (Dismissive) Attachment: Avoidant individuals value independence over intimacy and may suppress emotions or avoid close relationships. This style often results from emotionally unavailable caregivers, teaching the child to rely on themselves and avoid seeking emotional support. In adulthood, they may struggle with emotional closeness and trust.
Disorganized (Fearful-Avoidant) Attachment: Combining elements of anxious and avoidant attachment, this style is marked by a fear of intimacy and abandonment. It often stems from trauma or neglect, where caregivers were sources of both comfort and fear. Adults with this style may exhibit contradictory behaviors, such as pushing others away while craving closeness.

Important to note, these attachment styles are not fixed; therapy, self-reflection, and secure relationships can help individuals move toward a more secure attachment style. Understanding attachment styles can improve personal growth and relational dynamics by fostering empathy, trust, and communication.