Question

Which of the following scenarios is an example of John Bowlby's concept of secure attachment?

A) A child who shows indifference to the caregiver's presence and absence.
B) A child who becomes extremely anxious when the caregiver leaves but is easily comforted upon their return.
C) A child who avoids contact with the caregiver and shows little emotional response.
D) A child who displays aggressive behavior regardless of the caregiver's presence.

Answer 1

Option B, where the child is anxious when the caregiver leaves and easily comforted upon their return, exemplifies John Bowlby's concept of secure attachment. This reflects a healthy emotional bond and a secure base relationship crucial for the child's development.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Bowlby's concept of secure attachment is exemplified by Option B: A child who becomes extremely anxious when the caregiver leaves but is easily comforted upon their return. In this scenario, the child displays signs of distress when their caregiver is absent, indicating that they value the caregiver's presence and have formed an emotional bond. However, when the caregiver returns, the child is capable of being soothed and comforted, which is a key sign of secure attachment. This is in contrast to avoidant attachment, where the child shows indifference, or resistant attachment, characterized by clingy behavior and difficulty being comforted upon the caregiver's return, as noted in research by Ainsworth and colleagues.

The attachment figure in secure attachment serves as a secure base from which the child can explore their surroundings and to whom they can return in times of need or stress. This reflects the child's trust in the caregiver and the establishment of a healthy, emotional bond that is crucial for normal social and emotional development.