Answered: What are the attachment types and how…

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

5th Edition

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Chapter1: The Science Of Psychology

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1TY

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Question

What are the attachment types and how does the strange situation help us study these types?

Expert Solution

Attachment types

Based on the responses of the infants in a study called the Strange Situation Test, Mary Ainsworth, a pioneer of attachment research, described three major styles of attachment: secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment. Later on, researchers Main and Solomon proposed the addition of a fourth attachment style called disorganized-insecure attachment based on their research.

According to Ainsworth, there are four patterns of attachment, as follows:

Ambivalent-insecure attachment: These children become very distressed when a parent leaves or is not around to look after them. Ambivalent attachment style is quite uncommon, affecting only 7% to 15% of children in the US. As a result of poor parental availability, either physically or emotionally, these children feel that they cannot depend on their primary caregiver to be there when they need them.
Avoidant-insecure attachment: Children with an avoidant attachment tend to avoid parents or caregivers, and show no particular preference between a caregiver and a stranger. They are likely to play equally comfortably with a parent as well as a stranger. This attachment style may result from abusive or neglectful caregivers. Children who are punished for depending on a caregiver learn that seeking help is bad and should be avoided in the future.
Disorganized-insecure attachment: These children display confused behavior, which seems to be equal parts disoriented, and confused. They may avoid or resist the parent, and show a lack of interest in the parent when they are around. This is due to inconsistent caregiver behavior. In such cases, parents may have behaved both to induce comfort and fear at various times, leading to disorganized behavior.
Secure attachment: Children who are securely attached to their caregivers show distress when separated from them. They also show clear signs of joy when reunited. When frightened, securely attached children seek reassurance from caregivers. This is the most common attachment style and accounts for over 70% of children in the US.