Attachment Style Quiz

What this test measures

This test measures your attachment style — the way you think, feel, and behave in close relationships. Based on decades of research, it identifies where you fall on two core dimensions: anxiety (how much you worry about rejection or abandonment) and avoidance (how comfortable you are with closeness and dependence). Your combination of these dimensions places you in one of four major styles: secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, or fearful-avoidant.

How it works

You’ll rate a series of statements about your feelings and behaviors in romantic or close relationships. There are no right or wrong answers — just what feels true for you. The whole process takes about 5 minutes. After you finish, your responses are scored automatically and you’ll see your results instantly.

How to read your results

Your result shows your levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance on simple scales. A low score on both means a secure style — you feel comfortable with intimacy and confident in your relationships. High anxiety combined with low avoidance points to an anxious-preoccupied style (you crave closeness but fear rejection). Low anxiety with high avoidance suggests a dismissive-avoidant style (you value independence and keep distance). High on both indicates a fearful-avoidant style (you want connection but are afraid of getting hurt). Remember: these are tendencies, not permanent labels.

Who it's for

Anyone who wants to understand their relationship patterns better — whether you’re single, in a relationship, or reflecting on past connections. It’s helpful for self-awareness, personal growth, and improving communication with partners, friends, or family. If you’re in therapy, sharing your style with your therapist can guide deeper work.

The science behind it

Attachment theory was first developed by John Bowlby (1969) and Mary Ainsworth (1978) to explain how early bonds with caregivers shape lifelong relationship patterns. In the 1980s, researchers applied these ideas to adult romantic relationships. The most widely used measure today is the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) scale by Brennan, Clark & Shaver (1998). This quiz adapts that framework to give you a practical, accessible snapshot of your attachment style.

Sources

• Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Lawrence Erlbaum.
• Bartholomew, K., & Horowitz, L. M. (1991). Attachment styles among young adults: A test of a four-category model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(2), 226–244.
• Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.
• Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). Guilford Press.
• Fraley, R. C., & Shaver, P. R. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology, 4(2), 132–154.
• Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. R. (1987). Romantic love conceptualized as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524.