Influences of attachment style and gender on themes of intimacy

Abstract

Imaginative stories written in response to Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) pictures were used to investigate the influences of attachment style and gender on intimacy motivation, fear of intimacy and reports of violent imagery. The effects of attachment style and gender on reported self-disclosure were also examined. Female subjects scored significantly higher than male subjects on intimacy motivation and self-disclosure. There were no significant differences between men and women on fear of intimacy or reports of violent imagery. Individuals with different attachment styles did not differ in levels of intimacy motivation or self-disclosure. On levels of reported violence, individuals with anxious-ambivalent attachment styles scored significantly higher than individuals with secure or avoidant attachment styles. Anxious-ambivalent subjects scored significantly higher than secure subjects on fear of intimacy. Correlations between projective and objective measures of intimacy were conducted. A significant, positive correlation between intimacy motivation and self-disclosure was obtained. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1991

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Fisher, Randy

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Format

PDF

Pages

51 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0027974

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

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