Types of attachment

Question 1

What are the three types of attachment and who identified them?

Answer 1

• secure
• insecure avoidant
• insecure resistant
• Mary Ainsworth (strange situation)

Question 2

What are the characteristics of a secure attachment bond?

Answer 2

• child prefers parent to stranger
• demonstrates use of a secure base
• distressed at separation and easily reassured at reunion
• caregiver is sensitive and responsive to the child’s needs

Question 3

What are the characteristics of an insecure-avoidant attachment?

Answer 3

• child is unresponsive to parent
• no secure base effect
• not distressed at separation
• reacts to stranger the same as the parent
• child is slow to show positive reaction at reunion
• caregiver is likely insensitive and inattentive to their needs

Question 4

What are the characteristics of an insecure-resistant attachment?

Answer 4

• child is clingy but also rejects caregivers attempts to interact with them
• too scared to explore toys in the room
• extreme distress at separation but difficult to comfort at reunion
• caregiver is likely inconsistent with responses to the child