TU 84: Why Do We Over (or Under) React? The Neurobiological Underpinnings of Attachment Categories

Neurobiological differences can be detected between secure and insecure relating, and even between the two organized insecure patterns of attachment (Dismissing and Preoccupied)! Cool, huh!?

In this Therapist Uncensored episode, co-hosts and real therapists Dr. Ann Kelley and Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP begin to the question – why are there only 3-4 categories established in the largest body of attachment research given the zillions of different experiences across the globe? We point to the neuroscience behind our attachment strategies that limit our biology in responding to stress and threat.

This is cool because we can understand it and begin to gain mastery over our primitive reactions (& help regulate those close to us – quite a perk!).

As always, we love to hearing from you! Uncensor you feedback, comments & discussion – get in touch, or better yet, leave us a live Voicemail that we can respond to by clicking the side button on our website (add your email to enable us to message back)!

In this episode, TU84, we discuss:

• What is social engagement and what is the neuroscience behind it?
• The role of Oxytocin in positive interaction seeking behaviour
• Discrepancies in how information gets encoded between different partners can lead to difficulties with couples, especially with how future social information is encoded
• The link between attachment and threat
• The role of re-appraisal & neuroception
• The difference between emotional and cognitive mentalization
• How mentalization looks across the attachment spectrum

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This week’s question (for our private online Facebook group – join here if you are a neuronerd and would like interesting, supportive, non-solicitive engagement with other neuronerds!)

Question: What 1-2 specific take-aways did you get from this episode? (ie. What do you want to remember or for other people to be sure to hear?)

Explore these Resources from this episode:

• Neuroscience of Social Interaction and Adult Attachment Style – GREAT article!
• The Neurobiology of Infant Attachments – a list of articles
• Neurobiology of Social Interactions – for true nerds

Liked this episode? Then you’ll probably enjoy this one, too Establishing Neurological Safety Through Relationships with Guest Bonnie Badenoch.

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