In a Strange Situation procedure, 12-month-old Mira plays comfortably while her caregiver is present, becomes mildly distressed when the caregiver leaves, and quickly settles and returns to play when the caregiver returns. A second infant, Theo, ignores the caregiver throughout and shows little reaction to separation or reunion.
Mira's pattern of behavior most clearly indicates which attachment style?
- A
Disorganized
- B
Anxious-resistant (ambivalent)
- C
Avoidant
- Dcheck_circle
Secure
Explanation
Secure infants use the caregiver as a safe base, show mild distress at separation, and are easily comforted upon reunion. Resistant infants are clingy and hard to soothe; avoidant infants ignore the caregiver; disorganized infants show contradictory behaviors.