When placed in the strange situation, Eric shows no distress at all when his mother leaves the room, and by the same token, he is not very excited when she returns. Overall, he doesn't appear to be very attached to his mother, but he doesn't resist when she picks him up to give him a kiss. Eric would most likely be classified as
A)anxious-avoidant
B)securely attached
C)anxious-resistant
D)resistant-avoidant
E)cannot classify

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eric's behavior is indicative of an anxious-avoidant attachment style. This is characterized by a lack of distress when the caregiver leaves and an indifferent or avoidant response upon their return. The description does not fit the patterns of secure attachment (which involves distress upon separation and happiness upon reunion), anxious-resistant attachment (which involves intense distress upon separation and ambivalence upon reunion), or any other classification.

When Placed in the Strange Situation, Eric Shows No Distress