Language Isn’t Everything

Abstract

Highlighting research and theory from infant and adult attachment, this chapter argues that narrative coherence is not necessarily indicative of coherence of mind and body. The infant and adult attachment literature is described and used as evidence for the argument that language is sourced in affect and action. Particular attention is given to the adult attachment interview which reveals that narratives of self can have the appearance of coherence even as they serve as self-regulatory mechanisms, displacing immediate experience in the present moment with meanings based on past conditioning.