Boosting attachment security promotes giving behaviour in higher attachment anxiety

ABSTRACT Objective The sense of attachment security is believed to be positively associated with altruistic behaviour. Based on this notion, this study investigated whether boosting attachment security increases people’s giving behaviour and examined the moderating role of attachment styles. Method To this end, a 30-day security priming training (using multi-method approaches) was conducted to validate these assumptions. Sixty-six participants were randomly assigned to either the security or the neutral priming training group. The dictator game (DG) was adopted as a measure of altruism, and each participant was required to complete a DG before and after the priming training. Results The results indicated that participants who experienced security priming training exhibited more giving behaviour in DG. Moreover, the boosting effect of this training was more evident in participants with high attachment anxiety. Conclusion These findings enhance our understanding about the different susceptibility of attachment insecurities to security priming and further validate the causal link between attachment security and altruism. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Attachment security was associated with higher altruistic behavior. Attachment insecurities (anxiety and avoidance) were thought to impede altruism. Feelings of attachment security could be improved by security priming training. What this topic adds: Security priming training could effectively improve participant’s giving behavior. The boosting effect of security priming training was more obvious in participants with high attachment anxiety. Empathy is contagious; therefore, in social life, whatever role you play, being sensitive and supportive will always help!