Attachment

• Attachment


  Reciprocal, enduring tie between two people—especially between infant and caregiver—each of whom contributes to the quality of the relationship.
• Mary Ainsworth, a prominent developmental psychologist, made significant contributions to our understanding of the critical bond between infants and their caregivers. Her work centered on attachment theory, which explores how these early relationships shape a child's social, emotional, and psychological development.
• Strange-situation


  A well-established laboratory technique used by psychologists to assess attachment styles in infants. It was developed by developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth in the 1960s.
• Secure Attachment


  Secure infants feel comfortable exploring their surroundings when their caregiver is present. They are easily soothed upon reunion after separation.
• Secure Attachment Behavior During Strange Situation


  • Explores environment with caregiver present
  • Seeks comfort and easily soothed upon reunion
  • Shows positive emotions towards caregiver
• Secure Attachment Potential Long-term Effects

  • Develop strong social skills
  • Feel confident and secure in relationships
  • Better emotional regulation
• Insecure-Avoidant Attachment


  Avoidant infants show little distress upon separation and may even avoid contact with the caregiver upon reunion.
• Insecure-Avoidant Attachment Behavior During Strange Situation


  • May not show much distress upon separation
  • May avoid or show indifference towards caregiver upon reunion
• Insecure-Avoidant Attachment Potential Long-Term Effects


  • Difficulty forming close relationships
  • May appear self-sufficient but crave connection
  • Difficulty expressing emotions
• Insecure-Ambivalent Attachment


  Ambivalent infants are very distressed by separation and show mixed emotions (wanting and rejecting contact) upon reunion.
• Insecure-Ambivalent Attachment Behavior During Strange Situation

  • Clingy to caregiver and hesitant to explore
  • Very distressed upon separation
  • Shows mixed emotions (wanting and rejecting contact) upon reunion
• Insecure-Ambivalent Attachment Potential Long-Term Effects


  • Difficulty trusting others
  • Clingy or anxious behavior in relationships
  • Difficulty managing emotions
• Disorganized Attachment


  Disorganized infants display confused or contradictory behaviors, such as approaching the caregiver with anger or avoidance.
• Disorganized Attachment Behavior During Strange Situation

  • Inconsistent behavior during the Strange Situation
  • May appear confused or frightened
  • May show both approach and avoidance towards caregiver
• Disorganized Attachment Potential Long-Term Effects

  • Difficulty forming healthy relationships
  • May struggle with emotional regulation
  • Difficulty managing stress