The affective component of secure base schema in a Japanese and a Chinese sample: Evidence from affective priming paradigm

The affective priming paradigm (Murphy & Zajonc, 1993) was adapted to assess the affective component of the secure base schema in a Japanese (Study 1) and a Chinese sample (Study 2). The priming effects of secure base pictures and positive pictures on evaluation of neutral stimuli were examined. The attachment dimensions, both anxiety and avoidance, were also measured for all participants. The subliminal priming of secure base pictures was found to lead to greater positive liking ratings to neutral stimuli than neutral priming pictures or no pictures in the Chinese but not in the Japanese sample. The results were discussed in the context of the dual-process theory of the secure base schema.