Assignment Paper

F​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‍​irst, be sure you have identified your attachment style and completed the reading assigned for both the September 22 & 22 classes. Then in preparation for this journal entry, read the chapter in Attached that matches your style (Anxious–chapter 5; Avoidant–chapter 6; Secure–chapter 7). If your attachment style is in the somewhat rare category of anxious-avoidant (a.k.a. “disorganized”) you likely incorporate elements from both the anxious and avoidant attachment styles; it would be beneficial for you to read both chapters 5 and 6, or at least the chapter corresponding with your highest score (anxious or avoidant). I also know of some information that would be useful for people with the disorganized style and if you would like me to forward you a link to that, just send me an email. [Note: the gold standard for identifying someone’s attachment style involves being interviewed by a professional who has been trained in this area, but the instrument online is usually accurate.] Once you have identified your attachment style and considered any insights that come along with that, your journal assignment is to reflect on what you have learned and write at least 500 words. You might ask yourself questions like What have I learned about myself from this exercise? Does my attachment style match the self-understanding I had before identifying my ​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‍​style, or are new things coming to light? Does my attachment style “fit” with my understanding of the kind of care I received when I was a young child? (Keep in mind that none of us have any direct recall of those first two years, but many of us have a general sense of what kind of parenting we may have received. There may also have been other notable events during childhood that impact the way we attach.) Does the new information give me further insight into the way I act in relationships, or do I disagree with what the instrument is telling me? Did I learn anything that causes me concern or anxiety? What might I do with what I have learned from this exercise? What can help me in the future? You need not answer every question above, but use these as prompts to generate ideas. In your journal, respond to the questions which speak most directly to you, or if there’s some other insight that comes to you that is not covered by these questions, feel free to write about that. For the sake of good writing, break your thoughts into paragraphs rather than writing one long stream-of-consciousness entry. Keep in mind that the journal is meant to be an aid in helping you develop the “skills, virtues, and self-knowledge needed to engage in meaningful, intimate relationships,” as outlined in the course description. Write with that purpose in mind​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‍​.