Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of priming insecure attachment styles has on reactions to racial groups, and how different attachment styles mediate this effect. A mixed design was used; experimental to examine the effects of priming, and a correlational to examine the relationship of this effect between attachment styles. 28 participants (17 female 11 male) were sub-consciously primed, either insecurely or neutrally, in a word task. Reactions to racial groups were measured using an IAT and attachment styles assessed using a questionnaire. Results showed no significant difference in the associations to racial groups between the insecurely primed and the control group, and no significant effect mediated by attachment styles. Further research is needed into the techniques of insecure priming; the efficacy of its priming methods and if insecure attachment can be demonstrated through verbal priming in the same manner secure priming can. Author keywords: attachment styles race group social Bowlby Prejudice
