Alexander, an 18-month-old toddler, is left by his father with his usual sitter. Within a few minutes he is screaming, flailing his arms and legs, and apparently inconsolable. Alexander is experiencing
A) stranger anxiety.
B) accommodation.
C) insecure attachment.
D) separation anxiety.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alexander's behavior indicates that he is experiencing separation anxiety, which is a common response among infants and toddlers when they are separated from their primary caregivers. This can cause them to become highly upset and difficult to console. Stranger anxiety (A) is a fear or wariness of unfamiliar people, which typically emerges at around 6 months of age. Accommodation (B) refers to the process of modifying existing schemas to fit new information, which is a cognitive process that occurs throughout development. Insecure attachment (C) can result from inconsistent or unresponsive caregiving, and can lead to difficulty forming close relationships and regulating emotions.

Alexander, an 18-Month-Old Toddler, Is Left by His Father with His