DISCUSSION

The intention of using social media is to bring people closer by removing the barriers caused primarily by geography. After exchanging several messages throughout the day, however, many people find they have nothing to say when they are finally face-to-face. Still others enjoy meeting new people they would never have the chance to connect with if social media and technology didn’t lower those barriers.

For this Discussion, you explore how your use of social media affects the development of your attachment to other individuals. You also examine whether the use of social media helps or hinders the development of attachment.

Post at least two-paragraph response to the following:

Describe how you use social media in your life.

Explain how your use of social media affects the development of your attachment to other individuals. Does it help or hinder your development of attachment to others?

Explain why you believe this. Use a specific example to illustrate your point.

Provide an example from this week’s resources to support your response.

ASSIGNMENT

As individuals develop, they gradually transfer attachment-related functions from caregiver(s) to peers, ultimately relying upon other figures like close friends and/or relationships partners for comfort, support, and guidance when distressed. Attachment patterns develop over a person’s lifespan.

Because adults form attachments, discomfort can occur when there is a separation. You have likely heard of couples who wrestle with insomnia when one partner is away for the night. What about needing to leave a beloved pet with someone else while traveling? Consider, too, “empty nesters” who have difficulty filling their free time now that the kids are out of the house.

A person’s attachment patterns have a profound effect on their emotional development and wellbeing. An understanding of attachment patterns can help to inform healthy relationships and self-care.

Before answering the questions for this Journal assignment, please read:

Kearns, T., & Lee, D. (2015). General psychology: An introduction Links to an external site.. GALILEO, University System of Georgia: GALILEO Open Learning Materials. https://oer.galileo.usg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?ar…

Chapter 11, “Human Development”

Section 17: Attachment Through the Life Course (pp. 299–313)

Write at least 450 words addressing the following:

*What kind of relationship did you have with your parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) when you were young? How might this/these relationship(s) influence how you relate to others (e.g., friends, relationship partners).

*Most attachment research on adults focuses on attachment to romantic partners. What other kinds of things may serve as attachment figures? Do you think siblings, pets, or gods can serve as attachment figures?

*The value of personal independence varies across cultures. Do you think this might have implications for the development of attachment patterns?

Provide an example from our week’s resources to support your perspective.

List full details of the resource(s) you use at the bottom of your Journal entry.

*Please note that these questions are based on the questions on pages 309-310 of the Kearns and Lee (2015) textbook.