Deactivation, Hyperactivation, &
Deactivation Scale Overview
Deactivation Script:
1. Attachment partners engaged in activities that lack interpersonal connection
2. Potential problem is minimized
3. Expression of negative emotion is restricted
4. No bid for help or bid is rejected
5. Instrumental help may be offered by attachment partner or another character
6. Help that addresses emotional needs is not offered, or if offered, such help is rejected
7. Problem is unresolved
8. Attachment partners re-engage in activities that lack interpersonal connection
Evidence of deactivation includes:
1. Attachment partners engaged in activities that lack interpersonal connection
2. Potential problem is minimized
3. Expression of negative emotion is restricted
4. No bid for help or bid is rejected
5. Instrumental help may be offered by attachment partner or another character
6. Help that addresses emotional needs is not offered, or if offered, such help is rejected
7. Problem is unresolved
8. Attachment partners re-engage in activities that lack interpersonal connection
Evidence of deactivation includes:
- Tendency to restrict the expression of attachment-relevant emotions and needs
- Lack of expression, derogation, and/or minimization of attachment needs/signals/emotions
- When problem occurs, minimal emotion is expressed or expressed emotion is minimized
- If problem produces physical injury, injuries are minimized and/or focus is on damage to physical objects
- Emotions described in derogatory terms (e.g., baby is cranky); attachment figures find humor in relationship partner’s distress
- Lack of expression, derogation, and/or minimization of attachment needs/signals/emotions
- Lack of support that addresses attachment needs
- Attachment figure expresses displeasure at partner’s attachment needs
- Problem is deflected by moving onto another event or via object distraction
- Support provided addresses instrumental, but not emotional, needs
- Tendency to limit articulation of attachment-relevant problems and the interpersonal nature of such problems
- Limited focus on attachment-relevant problems
- When problem occurs, it is not interpersonal (e.g., Sue is an ambulance driver who encounters an accident on the road)
- Lack of interpersonal/emotional connection between relationship partners
- Problem resolved by non-attachment figure (e.g., friend, doctor, neighbor, stranger)
- Limited focus on attachment-relevant problems
- Limited use of attachment partners to resolve problem
- When problem occurs, individual relies on self to solve problem
- Routine description of resolution of negative/traumatic experiences
- Statements indicating that everything is fine/normal despite evidence that problem/attachment needs were not fully resolved
- Canned speech remote from the interpersonal nature of relationships and attachment-relevant problems
- Interaction between attachment partners and/or problem discussed in matter of fact/routine way with canned/rehearsed quality
Deactivation Rating Scale
1. No evidence of deactivation. In these narratives, attachment-relevant problems and emotions are fully expressed and contingent support that addresses physical and emotional needs is provided by the attachment figure. Attachment partners are interpersonally connected.
2. In these narratives, attachment-relevant problems and emotions are expressed and support that addresses physical and emotional needs is provided by the attachment figure. However, there is some weak evidence of deactivation. Perhaps problems/emotions are restricted in some way OR there is some delay in the contingency of the help provided OR there is a lack of interpersonal connection.
3. In these narratives, there is clear evidence of deactivation, but it is weak and contained. The attachment problem and emotion is deactivated in some way (e.g., limited discussion of emotion, severity of problem or emotion is minimized). However, instrumental and emotional support are provided by the attachment figure, though the contingency of this support may be delayed. There is some evidence of interpersonal connection, though not elaborate.
4. A signature of these narratives is that support is primarily instrumental in nature. There is some emotional support, though it typically emerges at the end of the narrative and may not be contingent with the expression of need. Attachment-relevant problems and emotions are expressed, but may be restricted in some way. There is limited evidence of interpersonal connection.
5. A score of 5 is assigned when there is a lack of emotional support provided by the attachment figure. However, the attachment figure may convey as sense of support by expressing concern for the attachment partner. Attachment problems and emotions are present in the narrative, but there is a lack of interpersonal connection. A score of 5 is also assigned if there is interpersonal connection prior to and following the problem, but the support provided is instrumental in nature.
6. In narratives that score a 6, attachment-relevant problems or emotions are either disregarded OR deactivated. In the former, there is limited articulation of problems/emotions. Help provided may address physical needs, but it does not address emotional needs. There is a lack of interpersonal connection. In the latter, there is explicit deactivation of attachment problems/emotions, but it is incomplete in the sense that there may be some concern expressed or support provided by the attachment figure. There is a lack of positive interpersonal connection.
7. Narratives scoring a 7 either lack an attachment-relevant problem all together and there is no interpersonal connection OR attachment-relevant problems and emotions are explicitly deactivating via rejection, derogation, ignoring, and the like and there is a lack of positive interpersonal connection.
2. In these narratives, attachment-relevant problems and emotions are expressed and support that addresses physical and emotional needs is provided by the attachment figure. However, there is some weak evidence of deactivation. Perhaps problems/emotions are restricted in some way OR there is some delay in the contingency of the help provided OR there is a lack of interpersonal connection.
3. In these narratives, there is clear evidence of deactivation, but it is weak and contained. The attachment problem and emotion is deactivated in some way (e.g., limited discussion of emotion, severity of problem or emotion is minimized). However, instrumental and emotional support are provided by the attachment figure, though the contingency of this support may be delayed. There is some evidence of interpersonal connection, though not elaborate.
4. A signature of these narratives is that support is primarily instrumental in nature. There is some emotional support, though it typically emerges at the end of the narrative and may not be contingent with the expression of need. Attachment-relevant problems and emotions are expressed, but may be restricted in some way. There is limited evidence of interpersonal connection.
5. A score of 5 is assigned when there is a lack of emotional support provided by the attachment figure. However, the attachment figure may convey as sense of support by expressing concern for the attachment partner. Attachment problems and emotions are present in the narrative, but there is a lack of interpersonal connection. A score of 5 is also assigned if there is interpersonal connection prior to and following the problem, but the support provided is instrumental in nature.
6. In narratives that score a 6, attachment-relevant problems or emotions are either disregarded OR deactivated. In the former, there is limited articulation of problems/emotions. Help provided may address physical needs, but it does not address emotional needs. There is a lack of interpersonal connection. In the latter, there is explicit deactivation of attachment problems/emotions, but it is incomplete in the sense that there may be some concern expressed or support provided by the attachment figure. There is a lack of positive interpersonal connection.
7. Narratives scoring a 7 either lack an attachment-relevant problem all together and there is no interpersonal connection OR attachment-relevant problems and emotions are explicitly deactivating via rejection, derogation, ignoring, and the like and there is a lack of positive interpersonal connection.
Hyperactivation Scale Overview
Hyperactivation Script
1. Attachment partners engaged in activity
2. Problem occurs; severity of problem is exacerbated
3. Bid for help includes heightening of negative emotion
4. Bid for help is detected
5. Response is ineffective at resolving and/or exacerbates problem/negative emotions
6. Problem is unresolved
7. Negative emotion persists
8. Attachment partners do not fully re-engage in activity
Evidence of heightened distress is reflected by the:
Evidence of heightening attachment-relevant problems is reflected by the:
1. Attachment partners engaged in activity
2. Problem occurs; severity of problem is exacerbated
3. Bid for help includes heightening of negative emotion
4. Bid for help is detected
5. Response is ineffective at resolving and/or exacerbates problem/negative emotions
6. Problem is unresolved
7. Negative emotion persists
8. Attachment partners do not fully re-engage in activity
Evidence of heightened distress is reflected by the:
- Frequent use of distress words (beyond those present in the prompt)
- Use of strong distress words (e.g., cry vs. bawling)
- Use of adjectives that enhance feelings of distress (e.g., sad vs. overcome with sadness)
Evidence of heightening attachment-relevant problems is reflected by the:
- frequent occurrence and/or elaboration of attachment-relevant problems
- Exacerbation of problem severity through overly dramatic narrative elements
Hyperactivation Rating Scale
1. No hyperactivation of attachment problems or negative emotions. The problem and negative emotions might be absent from the narrative. Or the problem insinuated by prompt words is discussed briefly and only the negative emotional prompt words are used. There is no further elaboration or exacerbation of the problem or negative emotions.
2. There is some weak heightening of attachment problems or negative emotions. The problem or feelings of negative emotion are emphasized in some way (e.g., some elaboration of problem, some heightening of negative emotions, or the like).
3. There is some heightening of attachment problems or negative emotions. The problem may be elaborated on OR negative emotions are heightened (e.g., negative emotions might be repeated or emphasized). However, heightening of the problems or negative emotions is weak and contained.
4. There is moderate heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. They may be present multiple times OR are elaborated on in the narrative, but problems and negative emotions are contained and resolved by the end of the narrative.
5. There is strong heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. Problems and negative emotions escalate but are ultimately resolved by the end of the narrative.
6. There is very strong heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. Problems and negative motions are present multiple times, elaborated on, and escalate over the course of the narrative. The problem and/or negative emotions are not fully resolved by the end of the narrative.
7. Heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions is very strong, present multiple times, and elaborated on in the narrative. Negative emotions escalate to the point of dysregulation (e.g., marked by words like distraught, hysterical, overcome, rage, etc.). The problem and negative emotions are not resolved by the end of the narrative.
2. There is some weak heightening of attachment problems or negative emotions. The problem or feelings of negative emotion are emphasized in some way (e.g., some elaboration of problem, some heightening of negative emotions, or the like).
3. There is some heightening of attachment problems or negative emotions. The problem may be elaborated on OR negative emotions are heightened (e.g., negative emotions might be repeated or emphasized). However, heightening of the problems or negative emotions is weak and contained.
4. There is moderate heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. They may be present multiple times OR are elaborated on in the narrative, but problems and negative emotions are contained and resolved by the end of the narrative.
5. There is strong heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. Problems and negative emotions escalate but are ultimately resolved by the end of the narrative.
6. There is very strong heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions. Problems and negative motions are present multiple times, elaborated on, and escalate over the course of the narrative. The problem and/or negative emotions are not fully resolved by the end of the narrative.
7. Heightening of attachment problems and negative emotions is very strong, present multiple times, and elaborated on in the narrative. Negative emotions escalate to the point of dysregulation (e.g., marked by words like distraught, hysterical, overcome, rage, etc.). The problem and negative emotions are not resolved by the end of the narrative.
Anomalous Content Scale Overview
Anomalous Script
1. Attachment partners are physically or psychologically separated
2. Problem occurs
3. Problem creates fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation
4. May or may not be a bid for help, absence/presence of which exacerbates fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation
5. Response, if offered, is ineffective
6. Problem is unresolved
7. Fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation persists
8. Attachment partners do not re-engage in activity
1. Attachment partners are physically or psychologically separated
2. Problem occurs
3. Problem creates fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation
4. May or may not be a bid for help, absence/presence of which exacerbates fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation
5. Response, if offered, is ineffective
6. Problem is unresolved
7. Fear, disorientation, and/or dissociation persists
8. Attachment partners do not re-engage in activity
- Disorientation
- Evidence of dissociation (e.g., mom and baby described as living in parallel worlds)
- Evidence of disorientation or confusion with respect to place or time (e.g., baby is lost)
- Fear
- Excessive attention to specific details of traumatic event (e.g., focus on severity of injury/problem, detailed description of accident/hospital)
- Loss of/permanent separation from attachment partner (e.g., Sue dies/is on life support)
- Vague description of traumatic events that heighten sense of unknown or suggest fearful outcomes
- Unresolved or overwhelming feelings of fear
Anomalous Content Rating Scale
1. No evidence of anomalous content. Narrative does not contain elements of fear, chaos, disorientation, or dissociation.
2. Narrative contains anomalous elements, but these elements are fleeting and do not repeatedly emerge.
3. Narrative contains anomalous elements. The discussion of these elements is more than fleeting, but is contained and resolved quickly.
4. Anomalous content is contained but present multiple times in the narrative OR anomalous content is elaborated on in one part of the narrative. Regardless, the anomalous content is resolved by the end of the narrative.
5. Anomalous content is present multiple times in the narrative OR anomalous content is elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not quickly resolved.
6. Anomalous content is present multiple times and elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not fully resolved.
7. Anomalous content is strong, present multiple times, and elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not resolved. Though not the only instances in which a score of 7 is assigned, this score is assigned to narratives in which there is permanent separation of attachment figures, the story ends with the relationship severing, etc.
2. Narrative contains anomalous elements, but these elements are fleeting and do not repeatedly emerge.
3. Narrative contains anomalous elements. The discussion of these elements is more than fleeting, but is contained and resolved quickly.
4. Anomalous content is contained but present multiple times in the narrative OR anomalous content is elaborated on in one part of the narrative. Regardless, the anomalous content is resolved by the end of the narrative.
5. Anomalous content is present multiple times in the narrative OR anomalous content is elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not quickly resolved.
6. Anomalous content is present multiple times and elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not fully resolved.
7. Anomalous content is strong, present multiple times, and elaborated on in the narrative. Anomalous content is exacerbated and not resolved. Though not the only instances in which a score of 7 is assigned, this score is assigned to narratives in which there is permanent separation of attachment figures, the story ends with the relationship severing, etc.