| Test: | Infatuation and Attachment Scales, IAS |
| Link: | persistent link: https://psytests.org/result?v=tprl5n4 |
Infatuation | 3.7 | |
Attachment | 4.8 |
The IAS includes two scales: Infatuation and Attachment.
Scores reflect the relative dominance of these two components of romantic experience.
Sample mean scores from the original validation study:
| Group (n=183) | Infatuation | Attachment |
|---|---|---|
| No romantic relationship | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Not cohabitating | 3.4 | 6.1 |
| Cohabitating | 3.0 | 6.2 |
| Married | 3.2 | 6.5 |
Infatuation and Attachment show partially opposing patterns across relationship stages. Infatuation tends to be higher in the absence of an established relationship and gradually decreases over time, while Attachment tends to increase with relationship duration and stability.
The two scales are typically negatively associated, reflecting the theoretical distinction between short-term, emotionally intense infatuation and longer-term attachment bonds.
Higher Infatuation scores are more often associated with increased emotional variability and negative affect, whereas higher Attachment scores are associated with greater emotional stability and reduced negative affect. In this sense, infatuation is conceptualized as more affectively activating, while attachment is more regulating and calming.