Attachment behaviours during the strange situation

How would a secure child react to the departure of their caregiver?

• Little to no separation anxiety  

• 1. Separation anxiety when the caregiver leaves the room.  ​

• 1. Significant separation anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The secure child's parent consistently and effectively responds to its needs. Therefore it will show some anxiety when it leaves (by crying) as it believes crying will attract its parent. But the distress isn't excessive, as the child is confident the parent will return.

How would an insecure-avoidant child react to the departure of their caregiver?

• Little to no separation anxiety  

• 1. Separation anxiety when the caregiver leaves the room.  ​

• 1. Significant separation anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-avoidant child has grown used to its caregiver not responding to its needs. Therefore it doesn't see value in crying as the parent won't respond.

How would an insecure-resistant child react to the departure of their caregiver?

• Little to no separation anxiety  

• 1. Separation anxiety when the caregiver leaves the room.  ​

• 1. Significant separation anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-resistant child has grown used to its caregiver being unpredictable. Therefore, it's extreme behaviour is a learnt response, designed t proactively take control of the unpredicatble caregiver.

How would a secure child react to the arrival of a stranger?

• 1. Moderate level of stranger anxiety (Avoidant of stranger when alone, but friendly when the caregiver is present) ​

• 1. Little to no stranger anxiety  ​

• 1. Significant stranger anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The secure child's parent consistently and effectively responds to its needs. Therefore it sees its caregiver as a safe base. When the caregiver is present, this sense of security allows the child to interact with the stranger without anxiety. When the parent is not present, the child shows anxiety to attract its caregiver, trusting its caregiver will respond.

How would an insecure-avoidant child react to the arrival of a stranger?

• 1. Moderate level of stranger anxiety (Avoidant of stranger when alone, but friendly when the caregiver is present) ​

• 1. Little to no stranger anxiety  ​

• 1. Significant stranger anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-avoidant child has grown used to its caregiver not responding to its needs. Therefore it doesn't see value in crying as the parent won't respond. This doesn't mean the child isn't worried about the stranger, just that it sees no point communicatig this fear.

How would an insecure-resistant child react to the arrival of a stranger?

• 1. Moderate level of stranger anxiety (Avoidant of stranger when alone, but friendly when the caregiver is present) ​

• 1. Little to no stranger anxiety  ​

• 1. Significant stranger anxiety ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-resistant child has grown used to its caregiver being unpredictable. Therefore, it's extreme behaviour is a learnt response, designed to proactively take control of the unpredicatble caregiver.

How would a secure child respond to the reunion with its caregiver?

• 1. No significant response to reunion  ​

• 1. Anger towards caregiver during reunion.  ​

• 1. Happy when reunited with caregiver/can be comforted. ​

Answer explanation

The secure child's parent consistently and effectively responds to its needs. Therefore it will be pleased to see its caregiver as it is confident the caregiver will comfort it after the brief separation.

How would an insecure-avoidant child respond to the reunion with its caregiver?

• 1. No significant response to reunion  ​

• 1. Anger towards caregiver during reunion.  ​

• 1. Happy when reunited with caregiver/can be comforted. ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-avoidant child has grown used to its caregiver not responding to its needs. Therefore it doesn't see value in communicating anything when the caregiver returns, as its behaviour won't make a difference.

How would an insecure-resistant child respond to the reunion with its caregiver?

• 1. No significant response to reunion  ​

• 1. Anger towards caregiver during reunion.  ​

• 1. Happy when reunited with caregiver/can be comforted. ​

Answer explanation

The insecure-resistant child has grown used to its caregiver being unpredictable. Therefore, it's extreme behaviour is a learnt response, designed to proactively take control of the unpredictable caregiver. The anger is (maybe) intended to prevent the caregiver leaving again.