Abstract

Aims of the current study are to verify, analyzing coherence of transcript variable, applicability of Adult Attachment Interview coding system to an early adolescent sample and to identify specific conversational violations that characterize different attachment representational models. To this purpose specific "violations of coherence" scales were elaborated, based on Grice (1975) maxims on conversational exchanges. A revised version of Adult Attachment Interview for early adolescents was administered to 65 subjects (37 male, 28 female), 10-to-12 year-olds, in two roman school. Interview transcripts were classified by independent judges according to Main and Goldwyn coding system and to Violations of Coherence Scales. Results showed both a good applicability of the coding system to early adolescents and Violations of Coherence Scales capability to identify two specific narrative styles that characterize Dismissing and Preoccupied attachment models.