Transportation Research Part F-traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Feb 1, 2017
The current study focuses on the value of attachment style-a personality trait most commonly asso... more The current study focuses on the value of attachment style-a personality trait most commonly associated with close relationships and affect regulation, but also with cognitive performance-as predictor of both reported real-world driving and actual driving in a simulator. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures, including driving experience and violations (e.g., traffic violations, crashes), a cognitive task, and four driving scenarios where speeding, collisions, and lane violations were monitored. Attachment style, as well as driving style and performance on the cognitive task, were found to predict driving performance. The findings highlight the complex associations between personality, attention, and driving performance. Specifically, these results support the inclusion of personality variables such as attachment style in the study of driving performance or when planning interventions to improve driving.
Attention, perception & psychophysics, Oct 23, 2015
Past research has shown that the looming bias-the tendency to judge one's distance to an approach... more Past research has shown that the looming bias-the tendency to judge one's distance to an approaching object as shorter than in actuality-is stronger among people who are physically weak or vulnerable. The current study examined whether the looming bias would also be stronger among people who are mentally weak or vulnerable. We tested that hypothesis by subjecting 46 young adults to cognitive load and examining their perceptions of approaching objects distance. Participants completed two blocks of the looming task, once under high cognitive load (memorizing a seven-digit number) and once under low load (memorizing a two-digit number). Participants exhibited a stronger looming bias under high load than under low load. These findings support the hypothesis that the looming bias will be stronger when people are weak or vulnerable-either physically or mentally-and in need of a larger margin-of-safety.
In this chapter, we review various contextual factors than can influence individual differences i... more In this chapter, we review various contextual factors than can influence individual differences in attachment. In particular, we review the effects of factors such as: sex, culture, age, relationship status and length, and the context of romantic relationships (esp. relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution).
Attachment security priming has been used to shed light on the cognitive processes related to att... more Attachment security priming has been used to shed light on the cognitive processes related to attachment internal working models as well as the cognitive substrates of people's attachment-related affect and behavior. Security primes activate a sense of attachment security by making mental representations in one's memory more accessible and salient. In the current paper, we report on a qualitative synthesis of 20 studies published in the last two years to determine the effects of security priming. We found that supraliminally administered security priming (especially via guided imagery or visualization) is associated with beneficial effects across a diverse set of domains. The effects were especially strong among anxiously attached individuals.
What Can Social Cognition and Priming Tell Us About Attachment?
In this chapter we discuss the contextual activation of attachment in adulthood. We specifically ... more In this chapter we discuss the contextual activation of attachment in adulthood. We specifically focus on the enhancement of attachment security (ie, security priming). We also review the various priming methodologies as well as the major findings associated with these socio-cognitive techniques.
Transportation Research Part F-traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Feb 1, 2017
The current study focuses on the value of attachment style-a personality trait most commonly asso... more The current study focuses on the value of attachment style-a personality trait most commonly associated with close relationships and affect regulation, but also with cognitive performance-as predictor of both reported real-world driving and actual driving in a simulator. Participants completed a battery of self-report measures, including driving experience and violations (e.g., traffic violations, crashes), a cognitive task, and four driving scenarios where speeding, collisions, and lane violations were monitored. Attachment style, as well as driving style and performance on the cognitive task, were found to predict driving performance. The findings highlight the complex associations between personality, attention, and driving performance. Specifically, these results support the inclusion of personality variables such as attachment style in the study of driving performance or when planning interventions to improve driving.
Attention, perception & psychophysics, Oct 23, 2015
Past research has shown that the looming bias-the tendency to judge one's distance to an approach... more Past research has shown that the looming bias-the tendency to judge one's distance to an approaching object as shorter than in actuality-is stronger among people who are physically weak or vulnerable. The current study examined whether the looming bias would also be stronger among people who are mentally weak or vulnerable. We tested that hypothesis by subjecting 46 young adults to cognitive load and examining their perceptions of approaching objects distance. Participants completed two blocks of the looming task, once under high cognitive load (memorizing a seven-digit number) and once under low load (memorizing a two-digit number). Participants exhibited a stronger looming bias under high load than under low load. These findings support the hypothesis that the looming bias will be stronger when people are weak or vulnerable-either physically or mentally-and in need of a larger margin-of-safety.
In this chapter, we review various contextual factors than can influence individual differences i... more In this chapter, we review various contextual factors than can influence individual differences in attachment. In particular, we review the effects of factors such as: sex, culture, age, relationship status and length, and the context of romantic relationships (esp. relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution).
Attachment security priming has been used to shed light on the cognitive processes related to att... more Attachment security priming has been used to shed light on the cognitive processes related to attachment internal working models as well as the cognitive substrates of people's attachment-related affect and behavior. Security primes activate a sense of attachment security by making mental representations in one's memory more accessible and salient. In the current paper, we report on a qualitative synthesis of 20 studies published in the last two years to determine the effects of security priming. We found that supraliminally administered security priming (especially via guided imagery or visualization) is associated with beneficial effects across a diverse set of domains. The effects were especially strong among anxiously attached individuals.
What Can Social Cognition and Priming Tell Us About Attachment?
In this chapter we discuss the contextual activation of attachment in adulthood. We specifically ... more In this chapter we discuss the contextual activation of attachment in adulthood. We specifically focus on the enhancement of attachment security (ie, security priming). We also review the various priming methodologies as well as the major findings associated with these socio-cognitive techniques.
Dr. Omri Gillath's riveting TEDx talk explores his trailblazing research on the intrinsic benefit... more Dr. Omri Gillath's riveting TEDx talk explores his trailblazing research on the intrinsic benefits of secure relationships. Combining neuroimaging, gene mapping, and advanced cognitive techniques, his extensive research reveals that a healthy attachment with another person not only leads to happiness, but is integral to overall physical health.
Omri Gillath, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Psychology and the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center at the University of Kansas. His work focuses on close relationships, and he uses diverse methodologies including neuroimaging, gene mapping, and advanced cognitive techniques to study attachment, sex, and caregiving. He has published extensively on the topics of interpersonal relationships and relationship neuroscience in leading academic journals, and has two books focusing on these topics; Adult Attachment: A Concise Introduction to Theory and Research, and Relationship Science: Integrating Evolutionary, Neuroscience, and Sociocultural Approaches. Dr. Gillath is an associate editor for the journal Personal Relationships, a member of the editorial board of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and a fellow of the Society for Experimental Social Psychology and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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Omri Gillath, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Psychology and the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center at the University of Kansas. His work focuses on close relationships, and he uses diverse methodologies including neuroimaging, gene mapping, and advanced cognitive techniques to study attachment, sex, and caregiving. He has published extensively on the topics of interpersonal relationships and relationship neuroscience in leading academic journals, and has two books focusing on these topics; Adult Attachment: A Concise Introduction to Theory and Research, and Relationship Science: Integrating Evolutionary, Neuroscience, and Sociocultural Approaches. Dr. Gillath is an associate editor for the journal Personal Relationships, a member of the editorial board of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and a fellow of the Society for Experimental Social Psychology and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx