As a newborn, Mindy was fine when her parents went out and left her with a babysitter. As she approaches 9 months of age, however, she has begun to cry when her parents leave. Though the sitter assures them that Mindy quiets down after they are gone, the separation process itself always involves tears. With regard to a developmental timetable, Mindy's behaviour is occurring
A) fairly late; most infants begin to fear separation around two to three months of age, because they have not yet developed adequate schemas for strangers versus nonstrangers.
B) right on time; this is the age at which a child has developed a strong attachment to the primary caregiver(s).
C) extremely late; normally, separation anxiety occurs immediately after birth, since infants become attached to the mother in utero.
D) extremely early; most children do not show any distress at separation until at least age five.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mindy's behaviour is right on time as it is during this age (around 9 months) when children typically develop separation anxiety and form a strong attachment to their primary caregiver(s). This attachment is called "attachment in the making" in which the child is starting to recognize who their primary caregiver is and become distressed when separated from them. It is not extremely early or late, and it is not related to the development of schemas for strangers versus non-strangers. Also, most children do not show distress at separation until much earlier than age five.

As a Newborn, Mindy Was Fine When Her Parents Went