Question

In the Strange Situation, a sign of secure attachment is _____.

1) being reluctant to leave Mother to play with new toys
2) smiling at Mother when she returns to the room
3) ignoring Mother when she returns to the room
4) crying and not being comforted when Mother comes back

Answer 1

In the Strange Situation, a sign of secure attachment is smiling at Mother when she returns to the room. This reflects that the child is comforted by the caregiver's presence and displays the positive and healthy bond indicative of secure attachment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Strange Situation, a sign of secure attachment is smiling at Mother when she returns to the room. This attachment style is characterized by children who show distress when their caregivers leave but are quickly comforted when the caregivers return, using them as a secure base to explore their environment. Secure attachment reflects sensitive and responsive caregiving, where the child feels protected and is confident to seek out and explore new surroundings, knowing that the attachment figure will be there for support if needed.

In contrast, other attachment styles such as resistant, avoidant, and disorganized behave differently in the presence of their caregiver. Children with resistant attachment display clingy behavior and are not easily comforted upon reunion. Children with avoidant attachment do not react significantly to the presence or absence of their attachment figure, while those with disorganized attachment may show odd or erratic behaviors. It is important to note that attachment styles can vary across different cultures and may be influenced by a child's temperament.