Author: Dr. Amir Levine

“Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love” by Dr. Amir Levine and Rachel Heller explores the concept of attachment theory and its application to adult relationships. Here’s a detailed summary and some reviews:

Summary

Attachment Theory: The book is grounded in attachment theory, which originated from the study of bonds between infants and their caregivers. John Bowlby, a British psychologist, pioneered this field, suggesting that our early attachment behaviors influence our adult relationships¹.

Attachment Styles: The authors identify three main attachment styles:
1. Secure: Individuals feel comfortable with intimacy and independence.
2. Anxious: Individuals often fear rejection and can be described as “clingy” or “needy”.
3. Avoidant: Individuals equate intimacy with a loss of independence and often try to minimize closeness².

Attachment System: The book explains how our attachment system is activated in times of perceived threat or stress. Secure individuals navigate these challenges without extreme anxiety or avoidance, while anxious individuals become hyper-activated, and avoidant individuals try to shut down the system².

Dating and Attachment: The authors discuss how attachment styles influence dating habits and romantic choices. Anxious individuals might be drawn to avoidant partners, leading to a cycle of push-and-pull in relationships².

Practical Advice: The book combines scientific research with accessible anecdotes and practical advice, allowing readers to understand their own attachment patterns and those of their partners. It also includes interactive exercises to help readers transform into more secure partners¹.

Reviews

Positive Reviews:

• Insightful and Practical: Many readers appreciate the book’s blend of scientific research and practical advice. It has been praised for helping individuals understand their attachment styles and improve their relationships¹.
• Accessible: The book is noted for its clear and engaging writing style, making complex psychological concepts easy to understand².

Critical Reviews:

• Lack of Nuance: Some therapists believe the discussions in the book lack nuance and warn clients to use it as a broad tool rather than a definitive guide¹.
• Over-Simplification: A few readers feel that the book oversimplifies attachment theory and does not fully address the complexities of human relationships¹.

Overall, “Attached” has been influential in popular culture and continues to be a valuable resource for understanding and improving romantic relationships.

Source:
(1) Attached Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/attached/summary/.
(2) Attached | Summary and Key Lessons – BooksThatSlay. https://booksthatslay.com/attached-summary/.
(3) Attached Summary | Book by Amir Levine, M.D., Rachel Heller, M.A.. https://makeheadway.com/library/books/attached-the-new-science-of-adult-attachment-and-how-it-can-help-youfind-summary/.
(4) Attached – Critical summary review – Amir Levine. https://12min.com/attached-summary.
(5) Attached: Book Summary & Review + PDF | The Power Moves – Power Dynamics™. https://thepowermoves.com/attached-review/.