Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love

“He described to her how effectively attachment theory explained the range of behaviors in adult relationships, and asked her to help him transform the academic studies and scientific data he’d been reading into practical guidelines and advice that people could use to actually change the course of their lives.”

Levine and Heller describe the origins of the book and their collaboration. Levine, a researcher focused on the attachment between parents and children, hoped to extend the application of attachment theory to adults and asked Heller to help him create an effective guide. From the book’s beginning, Levine and Heller communicate their purpose to aid readers in their own journeys of change. Here, we see the book’s use of third person.

“In fact, one of the main messages of this theory is that in romantic situations, we are programmed to act in a predetermined manner.”

Levine and Heller discuss one of the key beliefs of attachment theory: that adults are predestined to behave according to their developed attachment styles. Throughout the book, the authors encourage readers to identify their own attachment styles to gain control over their relationships and find greater satisfaction. The “predetermined manner” of attachment styles suggests a genetic aspect of attachment.

“Psychological approaches can be somewhat vague, leaving plenty of room for interpretation, but this theory managed to provide precise, evidence-based insight into a seemingly one-of-a-kind relationship.”

Using the example of Tamara, Levine and Heller illustrate the advantages of attachment theory in providing specific, focused insight into relationships. They criticize the vague assessments of other psychological approaches and tout the benefits of attachment theory.