Eight-month-old Nate suddenly begins to cry when he is left at the babysitter's house, whereas before he never got upset. Nate is MOST likely crying because:
A) he is being abused by the sitter.
B) he has entered the phase of clear-cut attachment.
C) he is having abnormal trouble separating.
D) his parents are having marital troubles.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eight months is a common age for infants to enter the phase of clear-cut attachment, where they become more aware of being apart from their primary attachment figure (usually the mother) and may show distress when separated from them. This is a normal developmental stage and does not necessarily indicate any issues with the babysitter or the parents' relationship. Option A (abuse) would be a more serious concern and should not be ruled out completely, but it is not a likely explanation solely based on the given information. Option C (abnormal trouble separating) is not necessarily the case as this behavior can be a normal part of development. Option D (marital troubles) is not a likely explanation as it is not directly related to the behavior of the baby at the babysitter's house.

Eight-Month-Old Nate Suddenly Begins to Cry When He Is Left