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Developing a Secure Base: Applying Attachment Theory to the Advisor-Advisee Relationship

Developing a Secure Base: Applying Attachment Theory to the Advisor-Advisee Relationship. Kami A. Merrifield and Allison Ewing-Cooper. Overview. Introduction to Attachment Theory History Key terms Attachment styles Attachment and Advising Group Activity. Attachment Theory. Bowlby

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Developing a Secure Base: Applying Attachment Theory to the Advisor-Advisee Relationship

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  1. Developing a Secure Base: Applying Attachment Theory to the Advisor-Advisee Relationship Kami A. Merrifield and Allison Ewing-Cooper

  2. Overview • Introduction to Attachment Theory • History • Key terms • Attachment styles • Attachment and Advising • Group Activity

  3. Attachment Theory • Bowlby • Ethological  • Attachment = Survival (evolutionary) • Children come programed to form attachments • Ainsworth • Measure of Attachment – Strange Situation • Different levels of security in attachments

  4. Key Terms • Proximity-Seeking Behaviors- to keep the caregiver close • The Strange Situation – laboratory technique for assessing infant attachment • Safe Haven – caregiver is there in threatening, uncertain times • Secure Base – a familiar figure from which to explore • Internal Working Model- set of expectations about the availability of caregivers and worthiness of self

  5. Attachment Styles Model of Self Negative Positive Positive Model of Others Negative

  6. Things to Consider • Multiple attachments • Changes/stability over time • Individual's influence • Interdependence  • Adult attachment 

  7. Attachment and Advising Proximity-Seeking Behaviors- to keep the caregiver close Safe Haven – caregiver is there in threatening, uncertain times Secure Base – a familiar figure from which to explore Internal Working Model- set of expectations about the availability of caregivers Proximity-Seeking Behaviors- seek advisor out (emails, phone calls, appointments) Safe Haven – advisor is there in threatening, uncertain times (bad experience in class, schedule not working/classes not available, grades) Secure Base – a familiar figure from which to explore (trying things on own, like enrolling in classes, and checking in to see if correct, joining a club) Internal Working Model- set of expectations about the availability of university personnel (advisors, professors)

  8. Advisee Styles Perception of Self Negative Positive Positive Perception of Others Negative

  9. Advisee-Advisor Relationship • Based on teacher-child relationship literature  • 3 factor model: • Closeness - warmth, open communication • Conflict - friction, anger  • Dependency – clinginess, over-reliance   

  10. Advisor Reactions • What responses do certain student behavior evoke from you? • What about... • Thoughtful • Appreciative • Anxious • Hostile • Entitled...? • Evocative gene-environment correlation 

  11. Scenarios • Get in groups of 3-4 and answer the following questions: • Describe the scenario using Attachment Theory.  What key terms are displayed?  What style(s) are shown?  • How would you help this student?  • What about the advisor’s behavior?   • How should advising look different for insecure vs. secure students?  

  12. Scenario #1 • Carly is a first-year student, majoring in Biology.  You met her at Freshmen Orientation.  You emailed her a follow up welcome email to the university; she didn't respond.  When it was time to register for classes, Carly didn't visit you and registered for more math and science classes.  She finished her first semester with a 1.5 GPA and went on academic probation.  You emailed her again to let her know she's on probation.  She never responded to your email.  It's now the end of the spring semester and her GPA decreased to a 1.3.  You are worried about her continuing in Biology and at the University.    

  13. Scenario #2 • Ben is a first-year student, majoring in Political Science.  You met Ben for the first time at Freshmen Orientation and you immediately bonded over your love of the Kentucky Derby.  Ben emailed you three times over the summer before school started to check his schedule.  He also visited you four times during the fall semester and registered for classes in your office.  In the spring semester, Ben changed his major to History, but he still visits you, the Political Science advisor.      

  14. Scenario #3 • Delores is a third-year student, majoring in Public Health.  Delores usually meets with you once a semester, mainly to plan out courses. Sometimes, she emails with questions if she is thinking about changing up her plans. This semester, she schedules another meeting to talk about internships. She found an opportunity to study abroad in Columbia and earn internship credit and wants to bounce some ideas off you regarding her plan.

  15. Summary • Advisors as secure bases • Consistent • Warm • Supportive • Predictable • Meeting students where they are • Adapting to their individual needs • Scaffolding/facilitating growth • Relationship building interactions • Not just transactional • Invest time • Learn about the individual

  16. Thank You!

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