In a crisis, people have different roles to play. Differences in how people form attachments (see, attachment styles), influences how people respond when trouble strikes.
According to social defense theory, having people with a mixture of attachment styles is useful in a crisis event, because by everyone doing their own part, the larger group can deal with the problem more effectively.
Anxious individuals are useful because they are hyper-vigilant. Being anxious is useful because it makes people look for trouble before it strikes. Anxious individuals are the first to react to problems and alert others of danger. Anxious individuals act as sentinels.
Dismissing (or avoidant) individuals are useful as well. Their primary concern is for themselves. So, they are usually the first to take defensive reactions or find an escape route. While they are primarily concerned with themselves, because they are the first to spot potential solutions, others can follow their lead.
Finally, secure individuals also play a critical role. Secure individuals attend to people who need help and try to implement the best solution for dealing with the crisis.
Everyone has their role to play – being alert, finding quick solutions, and helping others.
