Personality and relational style / Abby R. Rosswurm.

Abstract

It has been stated that "satisfying close relationships constitute the very best thing in life" (Berscheid, 1 999, p. 260). Close relationships offer companionship and affection, and also encourage physical health and emotional well-being (Berscheid, 1999; Berscheid & Reis,1998; Burman & Margolin, 1992; Gottman, 1998). So many people strive for a healthy close relationship with another individual, while others continually maintain an emotionally distant relationship. What accounts for this discrepancy, especially when close relationships can be so beneficial to one's physical and emotional health (Berscheid, 1999)? The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the attachment styles of adults, described by Hazan & Shaver (1987), and the extroverted personality trait described by the Myers-Briggs Temperament Indicator (MBTI). By including The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II (KTS-II) (an abbreviated version of The Myers-Briggs Type Indictor), the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R) (Fraley, Waller, and Brennan, 2000), and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) (Bartholomew and Horowitz, 1991), results showed that more people (N = 497), who were classified as having an extroverted personality type, were also classified as having a secure attachment style. Additionally, more people that were classified as having a sensing personality type were found to also have a secure attachment style.Honors College Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306