Question

A child who cries when his mother departs and smiles and runs to his mother when she returns is displaying which type of attachment pattern? (A) Avoidant attachment (B) Ambivalent attachment (C) Disorganized attachment (D) Secure attachment

Short answer

Secure attachment (D)

Step-by-step solution

Understand the attachment patterns

Review the four main types of attachment patterns in psychology: Avoidant, Ambivalent, Disorganized, and Secure. Each type describes a different behavior pattern in how children bond with their caregivers.

Define Secure attachment pattern

Children with a secure attachment pattern typically exhibit distress when separated from their caregiver and happiness when the caregiver returns. This pattern suggests that the child feels safe and confident that their caregiver will meet their needs.

Analyze the child's behavior in the question

The child cries when the mother departs and smiles and runs to the mother upon her return. This behavior shows distress when the caregiver leaves and comfort when the caregiver returns, which matches the characteristics of a secure attachment pattern.

Eliminate other options

Identify why the other attachment types are not suitable: - Avoidant attachment: Child shows no sign of distress when the caregiver leaves and avoids the caregiver upon return. - Ambivalent attachment: Child is extremely distressed when the caregiver leaves and shows ambivalence upon return, often seeking and rejecting comfort simultaneously. - Disorganized attachment: Child shows no consistent pattern of behavior when the caregiver leaves or returns.

Select the correct answer

Based on the analysis, the child's behavior aligns with a secure attachment pattern.

Key concepts

secure attachment

Secure attachment is a crucial concept in psychology. It refers to the bond where children feel safe and confident that their caregiver will meet their needs. Such children tend to show distress when separated from their caregiver. However, when the caregiver returns, they exhibit joy and quickly seek closeness. This pattern of behavior results from a reliable and consistent caregiving environment. Consistent responses from caregivers foster a sense of trust and security in the child.

They are more likely to develop healthy social skills and have better emotional regulation. Secure attachment is linked to numerous positive outcomes in later life, such as better relationships and overall mental well-being.

Key characteristics of secure attachment:

• Distress when the caregiver leaves
• Joy and comfort upon the caregiver's return
• A strong reliance on the caregiver for emotional security

child-caregiver relationship

The child-caregiver relationship is foundational in a child's development. It is through this relationship that attachment patterns are formed. The quality of the interaction between a child and their caregiver has a profound impact on the child's emotional and social development.

A secure attachment will often develop in a setting where the caregiver is responsive to the child's needs. This means that the caregiver consistently attends to the child's signals, such as crying or smiling, in a nurturing and comforting manner.

Essential aspects of a healthy child-caregiver relationship include:

• Consistent and sensitive responses to the child's needs
• Emotional availability and warmth
• Engagement in positive interactions such as play and communication

This supportive relationship enables the child to explore their environment confidently, knowing they have a stable base to return to.

behavioral science

Behavioral science helps us understand the various attachment patterns and the factors that influence them. This field examines the interaction between our biology, environment, and experiences to explain behavior.

In the context of attachment patterns, researchers in behavioral science study how different caregiving styles affect children's emotional and social outcomes. They employ various methodologies, including observations and experiments, to test theories about attachment and behavior.

These studies have shown that responsive and consistent caregiving leads to secure attachment, whereas unpredictable or insensitive caregiving can result in other attachment patterns, such as avoidant, ambivalent, or disorganized.

• Avoidant attachment: Child avoids caregiver and shows no distress upon separation
• Ambivalent attachment: Child exhibits high distress and ambivalence upon caregiver's return
• Disorganized attachment: Child displays inconsistent, chaotic behavior

Behavioral science thus provides valuable insights into the development of attachment patterns and the long-term implications for a child's mental health and relationships.