Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The Science of Happiness: Early Life Experience and Social Connection

10/8/15: Early Life Experience and Social Connection

So next up there's a video about how our earliest childhood experiences affect us psychologically, and as a result, how they affect our happiness.

Authors considering attachment in non-western ...
Authors considering attachment in non-western cultures have noted the connection of attachment theory with Western family and child care patterns characteristic of Bowlby's time. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Basically, and these are apparently based on early childhood experiences, there are three attachment styles: secure, anxious, and avoidant, which are pretty much what they sound like. And, of course, secure attachment leads to happier relationships, and in return, happier people having those relationships.

No word on whether those styles are on a spectrum, or what you're supposed to do about it if you're not "secure", though.

Another video now, this one about how these attachment styles affect how our brains work.

In short, anxiously attached people take frowny faces too deeply to heart (hmm...) while avoidantly attached people don't take as much pleasure from smiley faces.

Still no word on what to do about it.

But finally! A mention of some studies on how insecurely attached adults can learn!

Insecurely attached individuals do better with a "Secure base" -- usually a securely attached and very patient romantic partner.  Anxious adults need nurturing and soothing; avoidant adults need more practical caregiving.

And we come to an article, which we'll read another day.


Three Good Things: 10/8/15
  1. Got some good sleep. That always feels better.  I don't know why, but my sleep just hasn't been great lately.  Not entirely sure why it was good last night, either, but there we are.
  2. It's really nice out. I had to walk to Staples and buy some toner, and I could have stayed out longer.  It was lovely.
  3. Alpaca yarn.  I'm working on a scarf for Chris, and he had picked out some nice yarn -- we actually saw the alpacas some of it came from. It's really nice to work with.


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