This essay will compare and contrast two theories of romantic attachment/approaches, the interpersonal theory of attraction which are the positive feelings and attitudes towards another individual and the attachment theory which focuses on how the emotional bond between an infant and their caregiver affect the individual when they are an adult and how this may be applied to romantic attachment. It will also evaluate the strengths and limitations of each theory with reference to examples and scholarly articles. This essay will also argue that both theories are useful explanations of romantic attachment/attraction. There are also three other theories of interpersonal attraction; social exchange theory, evolutionary theory and the socio-cultural …show more content…
The intimacy component refers to the feelings of a relationship that promote bonding between individuals and creates the desire to promote the welfare and happiness of the loved one. As well as being able to be reliant on the loved one, therefore strengthening the trust, amongst others. This may be applied to the affect and affiliation of interpersonal attraction. When individuals have reached the level of intimacy, it is evident that the propinquity effect has been positive and has led to the repeated exposure effect then leading to physical attractiveness. Thus, leading to romantic attachment, which are the positive feelings and attitudes felt for another …show more content…
Both theories suggest that constant contact is needed to develop a relationship, although the attachment theory focuses on how the individual experiences their relationship with their caregiver when they are an infant, thus determining their relationship style when they are an adult and the interpersonal theory suggests that distance and physical contact, not specifying when or where result in the kind of relationship that an individual will develop and does not acknowledge the emotional history of the