Relationships – the structure of psychological

How do relationships lead to psychological security?

Authors: Grossmann, Karin / Grossmann, Klaus E.

The knowledge that Karin and Klaus Grossmann have gained through their research on relationships extends well beyond what was previously known.  They were able to scientifically follow and observe almost 100 children over more than 20 years from birth.

Even the baby bonds with both parents, who care for and protect it. The expectations the child and, later, the young adult develops of how other people will react to him or her if he or she needs care or support, depends on the quality of the experiences with his or her mother and father. In positive cases, the person develops a healthy level of self-confidence. As the results of the research show, positive experiences with one’s mother and father lead to a readiness to enter into dependable, trusting relationships based on reciprocity; negative experiences, on the other hand, do not. In the first few years of life, the foundations are laid for friendships, partnerships and considerate social dealings with others, but further development remains open for much longer.

The bonding process and the development of psychological security are shown in their early beginnings such as in the different roles of mothers and fathers; in addition the effect of relationships in adults into maturity is shown, when the desire for reliable relationships again increases.

About the authors
Karin Grossmann, Dr. phil., Dipl.−Psych., freelance scientist, was an associate at the Psychological Institute of the University of Regensburg and a lecturer at the University of Salzburg.
Klaus E. Grossmann, Dr.phil., Dipl.−Psych., Prof. emeritus, Institute of Psychology at the University of Regensburg.

Published by Klett-Cotta
672 pages
ISBN 3-608-94097-9
Price: approx. € 42.00
Available in all book shops