Eliza takes her 1-year-old son, Danny, to visit an infant-toddler program in which she hopes to enroll him. Danny eagerly explores the room as long as Eliza is present. When Eliza leaves the room to fill out some forms, Danny becomes somewhat upset. When she returns, he quickly calms down. In the context of the findings of Mary Ainsworth, which of the following terms best describes Danny's attachment style?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Danny's behavior of exploring and being upset when Eliza leaves, but quickly calming down when she returns, is consistent with a secure attachment style. Securely attached infants use their caregiver as a secure base from which to explore the environment and are upset when the caregiver leaves but are quickly comforted when the caregiver returns. Disorganized attachment is characterized by inconsistent and sometimes contradictory behavior, ambivalent attachment involves clinging to the caregiver and being upset when they leave but not being comforted when they return, and avoidant attachment involves avoiding the caregiver and showing little distress when they leave. Danny's behavior does not fit with any of these attachment styles other than secure.

Eliza Takes Her 1-Year-Old Son, Danny, to Visit an Infant-Toddler