Question

Ruby is a healthy baby Most of the time, she will tolerate when a stranger holds her However, she prefers to be held by her father (her primary caretaker) or her babysitter (her secondary caretaker). Based

on attachment theory, how old is Ruby likely to be?
about a year and a hall
about one year
younger than three months

Answer 1

Ruby is likely to be about one year old based on her exhibited attachments and reaction to strangers, in line with Mary Ainsworth's attachment theory and the development of stranger anxiety around this age.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on attachment theory and the developmental milestones associated with it, Ruby is likely to be around one year old. This conclusion is drawn from the nature of her interactions with a stranger and her primary and secondary caretakers. At around 12 months, children often show signs of attachment and may exhibit stranger anxiety, which is consistent with Ruby's behavior. Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation procedure indicates that infants of this age start to form strong attachments to their caregivers and may prefer them over strangers, but they do not overly panic when in the presence of strangers, especially if they are not the primary source of care like parents.

Furthermore, by the age of one, children like Ruby are likely to understand simple commands and can engage in some level of communication, which supports their ability to show a preference for certain people. The attachment to familiar caretakers and the increased wariness of strangers typically intensifies around this age, distinguishing children nearing their first birthday from those who are younger than three months or much older.

Answer 2

Ruby is likely around one year old because her behavior aligns with the attachment patterns observed in the Strange Situation procedure and the onset of stranger anxiety, which occur in infants between 12-18 months of age.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on attachment theory, Ruby is likely to be around one year old. At this age, infants have usually formed a clear attachment to their primary caregiver, often accompanied by a preference for other familiar faces, such as a secondary caregiver, which matches Ruby's behavior. According to Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation procedure, which studied attachment between mothers and their infants at age 12-18 months, children at this age show signs of anxiety when separated from a primary caregiver but may still briefly tolerate strangers. Piaget also noted that at around the same time children develop object permanence, they begin to demonstrate stranger anxiety, reinforcing this age estimate for Ruby.