How Do Insecure People Attract Mates? Article Critique Example

The selection of the article is founded on understanding how insecure people in the dating game are able to attract their mates. This subject is of interest in the current world because it gives concise information from research undertaken on how insecure people employ different strategies while dating. The article provides important and relevant information for use by psychologists in dealing with this problem. As a result, the attachment theory originally developed by Bowlby in 1969 comes into play in clarifying the process of partner selection.

The statement problem of the article is a qualitative study topic that indicates a specific study focus for the authors. The problem presented is researchable since it is investigated through data collection methods and data analysis. The background information gives the reader a clear view by introducing the attachment theory. This brief introduction gives readers an overview of what the article is going to look into. In any attachment, individuals look for security and in this case, two dimensions observed are avoidance and anxiety. The problem statement indicates variables of interest in the article and shows specific relationships between investigate variables. It is evident that the qualitative statement problem gives an indication of the issue under study and as such, variables are defined. In addition, the researcher shows skill and knowledge while carrying out the proposed research by giving sufficient evidence of points and elaborations presented. The support of points by using other people’s work shows validity of the work under study. The problem is significant because it gives people a demonstration of how the history of attachment affects the new relationships of people from the onset (p. 600). In addition, the individual differences presented in attachment theory when examining the earliest romantic phases provide insights of how people in their important relationships will arrive where they do. The research also goes further outside attachment theory and looks into attraction where convergence evidence shows that potential partners are appealed by secure qualities. The theoretical context of the article provides evidence and supports arguments that provide concise information on insecure people dating. These people have shown to use self-presentation strategies that place high demands on their dating behavior. Therefore, they are more controlled and at times lead to misrepresentation of individuals.

The literature used in this article is comprehensive and references cited in the article are relevant to the problem under study because they date back to the development of attachment theory (1969) through to current positions of researchers on the topic under study. Peer reviewed articles are widely used in this article and shows how thorough the researcher was in terms of presenting accurate information supported by other researchers in the field of psychology. The review on literature clearly states the problem statement and significance of the problem. All sources used are current and give up-to-date information on strategies used by insecure people while in the dating zone. In the world, there is no individual who wants to end up alone and thus, the self-presentation strategies adopted by many anxious people has worked well for them in luring potential mates in their lives. Hypothesis presented guide the researcher on how to approach the problem under study and hence, readers are able to follow the discussion. The expected relationship predicted by the researchers of avoidant people conveying additional features desirable to their potential mates.

In the methodology section of this research article, clear description of the major characteristics and size has been provided. Concerning the accessibility and population target, this has been provided for the reader to understand where the findings are obtained from. The method of data collection in this article is the questionnaire where individuals are supposed to fill out, but previous to this a videotape was done to get an introductory aspect of the individuals who will take part in the investigation. Considering the methods applied in this article, limitations are present when it comes to the videotape, but no biases are evident because the participants are comfortable with their position during the broadcast. Regarding the size and major characteristics, the sample under investigation is well described and shows how well distributed the researcher were when it came to their participants. This shows their distribution pattern is fair and wants to be accurate when it comes to validity aspects of the research.

Internal and external validity in this article are aspects considered by the researcher since alternative hypotheses have been eliminated. Secondly, relevant observations made provide results that can be applied to other situations. Instrumentation of the article looked into protecting the human rights of the participants under study. Since the participants are from a Midwestern university, they were recruited students who needed course credits for their introductory psychology class. Therefore, consent was given by the institution for this research to be conducted showing ethical considerations for participants. The feasibility of the study is captured in this article since time needed in order to collect and analyze the data is evident; there is response rates to questionnaires provided to participants; the participants’ willingness to perform random sampling; and the availability or usefulness of needed data.

Under the description and interpretation of findings, linear regressions and correlations were used in testing the data collected. The appropriate degrees of freedom in this instance concerning the significance of tests performed have been utilized in this article. The results presented are clearly described and does not present difficulty for readers because footnotes support areas difficult to understand or conceptualize. In addition, the tables and graphs used in this article correspond well and guide the reader hence, organization is vital in the whole composition of the paper. Furthermore, a small description has been given for each table and graph used as a way to guide the reader and allow them to follow the researchers. Moreover, the table and graph presented give an overview of how the population, male and female, used in this research address the problem under study. The interpretation of collected data shows precision in analysis and is a guide for all readers in showing them how avoidance and anxiety dimensions are presented in questionnaires presented by participants.
The article relates to the discipline of psychology and precisely, counseling as an area of study. The topic is important because it gives counselors the way forward when it comes to dealing with anxious and avoidance during their counseling sessions. The information provided in this article gives a clear indication of the strategies employed by many psychologists and clinicians who relate with anxious people. The problem under study falls best under marriage and family because the aim of these anxious people is to be able to get a potential mate, which eventually leads to marriage. As a result, counselors of this field have been given more directions to take when it comes to dating. Many are the times that anxious people talk too much when in a date for the first time. Their lack of censorship during meetings with potential mates is an area that needs to be addressed in future research because their talkative nature may be of harm or help in their relationships. It is evident that anxious people have tried to conceal their negative features by applying positive measures. Avoidant people, on the other hand, do not share the same views since these individuals have high explicit self-esteem and confidence during their dating. However, these avoidant people have positive energy and qualities flowing in their environment. Therefore, researchers need to gap this order and this entail future research.

The article is strong since it gives relevant information on the topic under study. Furthermore, the research has given insecure people a ground to stand on when it comes to their romantic attractiveness. This is in relation to highlighting their positive qualities since in some particular regards, insecure people are more appealing. The findings of this study should be in relation to the happenings or occurrence of the real world. Therefore, there is no possibility of one concluding the dating strategies applied by insecure people. The aspect of using a videotape during the experimental stage of the study made the participants uncomfortable and resulted in having a different behavior when presenting their information. An uncomfortable state is not the best in research studies because the tension builds up in the human body and the adrenaline rush goes straight to their head and messes their capacity to give accurate information. Another limitation concerns the design used in the research, which prevents the existence of causal connections between variables used. According to my view, the impression of this article left me wanting more from the researchers. Therefore, the article is interesting since it looks into particular issues affecting anxious people in romantic relationships. The only part I would have added in this article is the graphs showing each table presented.

References

Chloe, C. & Fraley, C. (2010). Adult attachment and dating strategies: How do insecure people attract mates? Personal Relationships, 17, 599-614.