What is attachment avoidance and how might it manifest in conflict situations?

• A. Attachment avoidance is a tendency to maintain independence and emotional distance; may show as withdrawal, reduced responsiveness, or stonewalling during conflict.
• B. Attachment avoidance means needing constant reassurance and closeness in conflict.
• C. Attachment avoidance refers to preferring long arguments to avoid closeness.
• D. Attachment avoidance involves seeking help from friends during conflict.

Answer: (C)

Attachment avoidance means keeping independence and emotional distance to protect yourself from closeness. In conflict, this tends to show up as withdrawal, reduced responsiveness, or stonewalling—the person pulls back, stops engaging, or gives minimal replies, making it hard to work through the issue.

This fits the pattern where someone avoids merging emotionally with their partner rather than seeking closeness or reassurance. Choices that emphasize needing constant closeness, seeking help from friends, or long arguments to avoid closeness don’t align with avoidance, which centers on distance and disengagement rather than pursuit of closeness or external support.