Attachment Behaviors in the Strange Situation

Slide 1 of 15: Synopsis

Human Development Video Activity
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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
attachment
The bond between infant and caregiver that is critical to the social and emotional development of a child. The nature and degree of attachment varies depending on the emotional and environmental characteristics of the child‐caregiver relationship.
disorganized/disoriented attachment
Confused or guarded behavior found in children who are perplexed by caregivers who simultaneously and irrationally frighten them and comfort them.
insecure‐avoidant attachment
A pattern of attachment in which an infant does not seek reassurance from the caregiver when exploring surroundings or when distressed.The infant appears to remain physically and emotionally independent of caregiver.
insecure‐resistant attachment
A pattern of attachment in which an infant demonstrates inconsistent behaviors toward caregiver. The infant oscillates between clingy, needy behavior and rejecting, resistant behavior toward caregiver.
secure attachment
A pattern of attachment in which an infant is confident in the connection to the caregiver. The caregiver offers comfort in times of distress and security from which to safely explore the environment.
secure base
The caregiver whom a baby trusts and, once crawling, uses as a home base from which to gain confidence to explore the environment.
temperament
An individual's innate personality and behavioral and emotional responses.
A close-up of an adult holding a child’s hand

Authors

Lisa Huffman, Ball State University
S. Stavros Valenti, Hofstra University

Synopsis

The interaction between caregivers and children is a critical part of development. This activity provides background information on parent‐child attachment and how it is measured in the Strange Situation. You will be able to observe examples of the various parent‐child attachment patterns.

References

Ainsworth, M. D. SA., Biehar, M., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1: Attachment. New York: Basic Books.

Beijersbergen, M., Juffer, F., Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., and van IJzendoorn, M. (2012). Remaining or Becoming Secure: Parental Sensitive Support Predicts Attachment Continuity From Infancy to Adolescence in a Longitudinal Adoption Study. Developmental Psychology, 48(5), 1277‐1282. DOI: 10.1037/a0027442

Grossmann, K., Grossmann, K. E., Spangler, G., Suess, G., & Unzer, L. (1985). Maternal sensitivity to newborns’ orientation responses as related to quality of attachment in Northern Germany. In I. Bretherton & E. Waters (Eds.), Growing points of attachment theory and research. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, Vol. 50 (1‐2 Serial No. 209).

Lyons‐Ruth, K., Bronfman, E., & Parsons. E. (1999). Maternal frightened, frightening, ora typical behavior and disorganized infant attachment patterns. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 64 (3, Serial No. 258), 67–96.

Rothbaum, F., Pott, M., Asuma, H., Miyake, J., & Weisz, K. (2000). The development of close relationships in Japan and the United States: Paths of symbiotic harmony and generative tension. Child Development, 71, 1121–1142.

Thompson, R. A. (1998). Early socio‐personality development. In N. Eisenber (Ed.), Handbook of child psychology, Vol. 2: Social, emotional, and personality development (5th ed., pp. 25–104). New York: Wiley.

Van IJzendoom, M. H., & Sagi, A. (1999). Cross‐cultural patterns of attachment. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 713–734). New York: Guilford.