A friendly lab assistant escorted 12-month-old Cassie and her mother into a research playroom containing special mirrors and hidden equipment to videotape their interactions. After providing instructions, the lab assistant left the mother and Cassie alone, beginning a short procedure to study their interactions. Soon a female stranger entered the room and began playing with Cassie. After a few minutes, the mother left the room and Cassie was alone with the stranger. The mother returned briefly, then left again; finally, the stranger left the room and Cassie was alone. The lab assistant decided to stop the procedure at this point; she ushered the mother back into the room to pick up Cassie.During each short separation from her mother, Cassie cried and wailed. The first time Cassie cried,

Question

her mother responded with surprise and concern, returning almost immediately. She was not able to soothe Cassie, who alternated between clinging to her mother and pushing her away angrily, crying all the while. "It's all right, baby doll, I love you love you love you. If you don't cry I'll give you a big hug when I come back," promised her mother before leaving the room for a second time. After the second separation Cassie continued to cry as her mother, clearly annoyed, waited for her to stop. "See? I came back. Learn to be a big girl.""Is Cassie upset today?" asked the lab assistant when she ended the procedure. "No, she's always like this," her mother answered. "My Cassie is quite a handful. She's what my mother calls ‘spirited.' She's unpredictable and strong willed. She'll eat when she's ready and she'll nap when she's ready-and that changes all the time. My mother says I was the same way. I love my little girl, but sometimes I just need space. She's very clingy. It will be better when she grows up a bit."What do we know about the stability of infant attachment? What is the likelihood that these observations will influence Cassie's attachment in childhood? In adulthood?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Suggested Answer: Infant attachment is somewhat stable, but there is a chance it can change for the better (or worse) depending on the environment. It's difficult to tell with certainty whether Cassie's attachment will change, but she will most likely continue to exhibit anxious attachment in adulthood.