Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Graham, Steven

Keywords

Relationships, Sense of Self, IOS, Attachment Styles, Autonomy

Area of Concentration

Psychology

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between attachment style and inclusion of an other in the sense of self (IOS), as well as how the interaction between the two might influence relationship satisfaction. Much of the previous research observes the differences between the three attachment styles (secure, avoidant, and anxious), and the differences between high and low IOS scores. Including another person, such as a romantic partner, in our sense of self correlates with differences in our autonomy. If avoidantly attached adults prefer less closeness, they may experience greater relationship satisfaction if they also percieve a low IOS. If anxiously attached adults prefer more closeness, then the inverse might be true. Participants completed a survey which assessed the degree to which they included their current romantic partner in their sense of self, their attachment style, and their relationship satisfaction. The results supported findings from previous research but the current hypotheses were not supported.

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