Question

Based on Ainsworth's (1982) Attachment styles, which attachment style applies to the following passage the most?

Ben's parents tell him that when he was an infant he often cried when he was separated from his parents and when he was reunited with his parents he would ignore them for a while but after time would return to them:

A. Securely attached
B. Disoriented or disorganized
C. Insecure: Anxious Avoidant
D. Insecure: Anxious Resistant

Answer 1

The correct answer is d. Ben's behavior aligns with the Insecure: Anxious Resistant attachment style in Ainsworth's typology, as he demonstrates distress during separation and ambivalence upon reunion with his parents.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on Ainsworth's (1982) Attachment styles, the attachment style that applies to the passage about Ben the most is Insecure: Anxious Resistant.

The behavior described in the passage indicates an anxious-resistant attachment style. This is characterized by infants who become very distressed when a parent leaves but are ambivalent upon their return. On reunification, these children may seek close contact but simultaneously push the parent away or express anger -- a behavior stemming from frustration with the parent's absence and reflects an inconsistency in the caregiver's availability, leading the child to be cautious about relying on the parent for comfort. Children with anxious-resistant attachment show difficulty in moving freely between exploration and seeking comfort from the caregiver, which may manifest as ignoring the caregiver temporarily upon their return, followed by seeking attention after some time has passed.