The Conflict Model Circumplex is a map, or graphical depiction of the attachment model known as the DMM. Attachment strategies described by the DMM are commonly seen in the context of interpersonal conflict, domestic violence, and litigation in general. The Conflict Model and is based on the DMM Circumplex. Attachment strategies are behaviors and the underlying thought processes which people utilize to predict danger and find protection from it.
The Circumplex is highly dimensional. From the top strategies increase (moving down the circumplex) into greater distortions of information so that a person using C5 strategies would tend to distort or otherwise transform information more intensely that a person using C1 strategies. A line drawn from the middle of the circumplex to the edges would represent more intense forms of an individual strategy.
In the B section at the top of the Circumplex is a short list of aspects of human functioning and the differing cognitive and affective presentations. CSI’s Cognitive-Affective Aspects and Facets (CAAF) worksheet, used in CSI trainings, provides a more detailed list.
A longer description of the Conflict Model is available, as is a description of the DMM.
The DMM Danger list identifies some of the subjectively relevant relationship dangers unique to each side (cognitive on the left and affective on the right of the Circumplex).
The DMM uses different terms than other attachment models, such as the ABC+D (Berkeley) model. DMM A-strategies correlate with the descriptive attachment terms dismissive, avoidant, anxious-avoidant, insecure-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant. C-strategies correlate with the terms preoccupied, resistant, ambivalent, anxious, anxious-preoccupied, anxious-ambivalent, ambivalent-passive, and enmeshed. The DMM does not utilize the concept of disorganized (D) attachment developed by Mary Main and Judith Solomon.
DMM stands for Dynamic Maturational Model of Attachment and Adaptation. It was developed initially by Patricia Crittenden.
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