Which term describes the pattern of how people respond to closeness and intimacy based on early life experiences?

Which term describes the pattern of how people respond to closeness and intimacy based on early life experiences?

• A. Stonewalling
• B. Self-expansion theory
• C. Attachment style
• D. Paternity uncertainty

Answer: (C)

Attachment style explains the pattern of how people respond to closeness and intimacy based on early life experiences. When a child experiences caregivers who are consistent, responsive, or unreliable, those interactions shape internal expectations about whether others will be supportive or abandon them. As adults, those early patterns show up in how comfortable someone is with closeness, dependency, and how they manage emotions in intimate relationships. Secure attachment tends to make closeness feel safe; anxious attachment can make closeness feel threatening or clingy; avoidant attachment often leads to pulling back or discomfort with dependence; disorganized attachment mixes fear and confusion about closeness due to chaotic early environments. The other terms don’t capture this overarching framework: stonewalling describes a late-stage withdrawal tactic in conflict, self-expansion theory focuses on growth through expanding the self with a partner, and paternity uncertainty is about beliefs regarding biological paternity.

Attachment style explains the pattern of how people respond to closeness and intimacy based on early life experiences. When a child experiences caregivers who are consistent, responsive, or unreliable, those interactions shape internal expectations about whether others will be supportive or abandon them. As adults, those early patterns show up in how comfortable someone is with closeness, dependency, and how they manage emotions in intimate relationships. Secure attachment tends to make closeness feel safe; anxious attachment can make closeness feel threatening or clingy; avoidant attachment often leads to pulling back or discomfort with dependence; disorganized attachment mixes fear and confusion about closeness due to chaotic early environments. The other terms don’t capture this overarching framework: stonewalling describes a late-stage withdrawal tactic in conflict, self-expansion theory focuses on growth through expanding the self with a partner, and paternity uncertainty is about beliefs regarding biological paternity.