Abby's mother leaves the room. When her mother returns, Abby runs to greet her mother. However, when her mother reaches to pick her up, Abby pulls away and screams out "no." According to Mary Ainsworth's research, Abby is exhibiting a(n)
A)secure attachment.
B)insecure-ambivalent attachment.
C)insecure-avoidant attachment.
D)separation anxiety disorder.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Abby's behavior of both seeking closeness to her mother upon return and then resisting contact by pulling away and screaming "no" is indicative of an insecure-ambivalent attachment. This pattern, identified by Mary Ainsworth, shows a child's ambivalence about the caregiver's return, demonstrating both a desire for closeness and a resistance to it, often due to inconsistent responses from the caregiver in the past.

Abby's Mother Leaves the Room