A

strong emotional and social bond

between infants and their caregivers.
Very important development in the
social development in the social and
emotional life of the infant.

Usually within the first 6 months of

the infants life.
Shows up in second 6 months
through wariness of strangers, fear
of separation from caregiver.
Attachment to the mother is
usually the primary attachment
but can attach to fathers and other
caretakers as well.

Most influential theory

Believed it was normal to need other people
throughout the life span.
Viewed first 3 years as a sensitive period of
attachment.
Believed the formation and security of
attachment is influenced by ongoing
interaction between infant and caregiver.
Believed quality of early attachment
influences future relationships.

Pre attachment (0-2 months)

Infants do not discriminate one person from
another.
No fear of strangers.
Attachment in the making (2-6 months)
Infant directs signals to a particular person.
Recognizes their parents but do not protest
when separated.

Clear cut attachment (6 months 4 years)

Separation anxiety
Can be attached to several.
Goal-corrected partnership (4 years onwards)
Understand caregivers schedule.
Separation protests decline.

Infants differ in quality or style of their

attachment to their caregivers.
Most show one of 4 distinct patterns:
a) secure attachment
b) insecure/avoidant attachment
c) insecure/ambivalent attachment
d) disorganized/disoriented attachment

Most infants ( 1 year old)

Freely explore new environment
May or may not cry when separated; when
returned, crying ceases quickly

Do not cry when separated

React to strangers similar to their
caregivers.
When returned, avoids the mother or very
slow to greet her.

Seeks contact with their caregiver before

separation.
After she leaves and returns, they will first
seek her, then resist or reject offers of
comfort.

Elements of both avoidant and ambivalent.

A state of confused.

Type of
Description
attachment

Mothers
behaviour

Secure

Upset, subdued when mother

leaves. Happy of reunion.
Avoidant of stranger when
mother not there, but ok when
present.

Sensitive,
responsive. Child
feels positive and
loved.

Insecure
avoidant

Unconcerned by mothers
absence. Unresponsive on
return. Strongly avoidant of
mother and stranger.

Unresponsive. Child
feels unloved and
rejected.

Type of
Description
attachment

Mothers
behaviour

Insecure
resistant

Inconsistent. Child
feels angry and
confused.

Intense distress on separation.

Fear of stranger. Clingy and
rejecting when mother returns.

Insecure
No consistent way of dealing
disorganized with the stress. They reflect
/disoriented greatest insecurity . Show
confused and contradictory
behavior.

When parent tries to

hold them, they will
look away. Typical
attachment style
when the infant is
abused or
neglected.