The early mother-child relationship (Attachment theory)

Attachment

the close bond with a caregiver from which the infant derives a sense of security.

The Strange Situation

1. The parent and the infant are first left alone, while the infant explores the room full of toys.
2. A strange adult enters the room and talks for a minute to the parent, after which the parent leaves the room. 
3. The stranger stays with the infant for a few minutes, and then the parent again enters, and the stranger leaves the room.

During the entire session, a video camera records the child’s behaviors, which are later coded by trained coders.

The investigators were especially interested in how the child responded to the caregiver leaving and returning to the room, referred to as the “reunion.” On the basis of their behaviors, the children are categorized into one of four groups where each group reflects a different kind of attachment relationship with the caregiver.

Secure attachment

These infants showed distress upon separation but sought comfort and were easily comforted when the parents returned

Anxious-resistant attachment

A smaller portion of infants experienced greater levels of distress and, upon reuniting with the parents, seemed both to seek comfort and to attempt to “punish” the parents for leaving.

Avoidant attachment

Infants in the third category showed no stress or minimal stress upon separation from the parents and either ignored the parents upon reuniting or actively avoided the parents.

disorganized-disoriented attachment

refers to children who have no predictable pattern of attachment behavior.