Relationships
Healthy relationships, characterized by love and respect, are vital to our happiness as human beings. Whether married, dating, or happily single, it’s important to understand your communication style, emotional intelligence, and how to feel more secure in romantic, friendship, and family relationships.
Key Terms
- Gaslighting
- Attachment Styles
- Narcissism
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse whereby a person or group manipulates one or more people into questioning their sanity and perception of reality. People who gaslight use this form of emotional abuse to exert power or control over others to manipulate them.
Learn More: What is Gaslighting?
Attachment Styles
An attachment style describes the way in which people relate to others, based on how secure they feel. Secure attachment is characterised by feelings of trust and safety in relationships. There appears to be continuity between early attachment styles and the quality of later adult romantic relationships.
Learn More: The Different Types of Attachment Styles
Narcissism
Narcissism is the overinflated belief that one is superior to everyone else, with excessive interest in oneself and in appearance. Narcissistic individuals have an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement, have a strong desire for attention and admirations, and lack empathy for others.
Learn More: Covert Narcissist: Signs and How to Respond
Frequent Asked Questions
Covert narcissists are those who have all the same goals as overt narcissists such as craving attention and power over others, but their methods of doing this are more subtle that it may be less obvious to others. Covert narcissists typically are more introverted in personality and may come across as shy and withdrawn but are still able to manipulate others.
Learn More: Covert Narcissism Signs and How to Respond
Romantic relationships are likely to reflect early attachment style because the experience a person has with their caregiver in childhood would lead to the expectation of the same experiences in later relationships, such as parents, friends, and romantic partners.
However, researchers have proposed that rather than a single attachment which is generalized across relationships, each type of relationship comprises a different attachment style. This means that a person could be securely attached with their parents, but insecurely attached with romantic relationships.
Learn More: Secure Attachment: From Childhood To Adult Relationships
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