Exploring the Spectrum of Human Relationships and Attachment Styles
- Bryan Zhao
- Oct 15, 2024
- 2 min read
Humans engage in various social interactions, weaving a diverse tapestry of relationships. These relationships come in numerous forms, each with unique dynamics and characteristics. The spectrum is vast and intriguing, from the familiar platonic and romantic relationships to the more complex codependent, casual, open, and toxic relationships.
Platonic is the most common form of relationship. “A platonic relationship is a type of friendship that involves a close, intimate bond without sex or romance” (Scott, 2023). Platonic relationships, or simply friendships, are often categorized as closeness, fondness, understanding, and respect. The other most common relationship is romantic. A romantic relationship is associated with feelings of love and attraction to another, often involving infatuation, intimacy, and commitment.
Friendship and romantic relationships could frequently become a blurred line for those incredibly close to one another. However, to keep a few things in mind, according to Psych2Go, who had completed research into different signs of alteration of a friendship to a romantic attraction with various sources. A way to identify the difference between a friendship and a romantic relationship could be jealousy. Jealousy is normal; being jealous of your friends or those you admire is completely normal. Platonic jealousy is the fear of missing out or being left out or behind, while romantic jealousy can be considered the fear of losing one person to another.
There are four types of attachment styles: anxious attachment (or what is sometimes referred to as preoccupied), avoidant attachment (dismissive), disorganized attachment (fearful-avoidant), and secure attachment. These attachments usually develop during the adolescent stage. Children depend on their caregivers for comfort. However, if that comfort is lost or disturbed, the foundation for how the child perceives and acts within a close relationship will also be altered.
With anxious attachment, the individual fears abandonment deeply. They have a strong desire for security within relationships and for attention, care, and responsiveness from their partner to soothe their feelings of anxiety.
Avoidant attachment individuals refuse to depend on others but wish others to rely on them. Someone with an avoidant attachment style tends to believe they don’t have to be in a relationship to feel complete.
Disorganized attachment is the rotation of anxious and avoidant attachment. People with disorganized attachments struggle with identifying and regulating their emotions and tend to avoid solid emotional attachments due to their intense fear of getting hurt.
Secure attachment is considered the health attachment style. In this style, the person can depend on others and let others rely on them. Relationships with someone with a secure attachment style are based on honesty, tolerance, and emotional closeness.
What would be your attachment style? At least in high school, I had a disorganized attachment when I was in a relationship. High school was low-key an adventure for me, and a romantic relationship was interesting.
Attached is a link to the attachment style quiz from the attachment project website.
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