Understanding Dismissive-Avoidant Attachment
Dismissive-avoidant attachment is one of the most misread patterns in adult relationships, so let's untangle the myths from the science.
- The body
- Adults
- Medium
- Educational
- 10 questions
- about 5 min
- Feedback after each question
Against each other
For kids and playful souls
See the questions
Without the right answers, so they're still a surprise when you play.
Question 1
In the classic model, how does a dismissive avoidant tend to view themselves and others?
- Negative view of self, positive view of others
- Negative view of self and negative view of others
- Positive view of self, negative view of others
- Positive view of self and positive view of others
Question 2
Lab studies measuring heart rate during talk of separation found dismissive avoidants were…
- Physiologically calm, matching their relaxed words
- Physiologically calm because they feel secure
- Calm because they are simply more introverted
- Physiologically aroused, despite seeming unbothered
Question 3
Where does attachment theory originally come from?
- Studies of infants and their caregivers
- Studies of married couples in therapy
- Studies of adults after painful divorces
- Studies of patients with personality disorders
Question 4
In Ainsworth's Strange Situation, how did 'avoidant' infants react when their caregiver returned?
- They showed no distress because they felt nothing
- They clung, then angrily pushed the caregiver away
- They looked away or ignored the caregiver
- They hid shyly because they were introverted
Question 5
What childhood experience is most linked to developing avoidant attachment?
- A painful break-up in early adulthood
- Being harshly criticised for low achievement
- Being a naturally quiet, introverted child
- Caregivers who rebuffed bids for comfort
Question 6
Sam's partner wants more closeness, so Sam starts working late. What is this most likely?
- Proof that Sam has fallen out of love
- A deactivating strategy to manage discomfort
- Lingering hurt from a past break-up
- Sam's introversion needing quiet time
Question 7
How does dismissive avoidance differ from fearful avoidance?
- They are two names for the same style
- Dismissive is introversion; fearful is shyness
- Fearful avoidance only appears after trauma in adulthood
- Fearful types crave closeness yet fear it
Question 8
Which pairing do researchers often find avoidant people ending up in?
- With a partner who is also avoidant
- With an anxiously attached partner
- With a partner who will chase until they change
- Never in long-term relationships at all
Question 9
Can an adult with dismissive-avoidant attachment become more secure?
- Yes, through stable relationships or therapy
- No, attachment is fixed by about age five
- Only with medication for the disorder
- Only if a partner pressures them enough
Question 10
Research suggests a dismissive avoidant's high self-esteem is often…
- Rooted in deep, genuine inner security
- Covering a self-image they truly see as worthless
- Irrelevant because they feel no emotions
- Defensive, and vulnerable under threat
