Attachment

Type A : insecure - avoidant

• Doesn’t seek closeness/contact with the caregiver (treated like stranger).

• Rarely cries when caregiver leaves and ignores them on return.

• Result of neglect/abuse.

Type B : secure

• Balance between dependence and exploration.

• Caregiver is a ‘safe base’.

• Shows distress and decreases exploration when the caregiver leaves.

• Infant seeks contact and is enthusiastic when caregiver returns.

• Confident that caregiver will return.

Type C : insecure ambivalent/resistant

• Anxious even when caregiver is near.

• Don’t know what they want (contact).

• They feel they cannot depend on caregiver.

4 interaction behaviours

1. Proximity and contact seeking.

2. Contact maintaining.

3. Avoidance of proximity and contact.

4. Resistance to contact and comforting.