Describe the four attachment styles identified by researchers, and apply each style to Margo, a 1-year-old in Ainsworth's Strange Situation.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

- Children with secure attachment use their caregiver as a "home base." They are at ease when the caregiver is present, upset when the caregiver leaves, and approachful when the caregiver returns. In the Strange Situation, Margo would cry when her caregiver left the room, then go to the caregiver upon return.
- Avoidant attachment describes children who do not seek to be near to a caregiver when present, and avoid the caregiver upon return. If Margo had this attachment style, she would play wherever she felt like it in the caregiver's presence, and continue doing so upon the caregiver's return.
- Ambivalent attachment occurs when a child displays a combination of positive and negative reactions to a caregiver. In this case, Margo might show distress when her caregiver leaves, but then also show both approach and avoidance behaviors upon the caregiver's return.
- Disorganized-disoriented attachment is an inconsistent style, characterized by low levels of security. With this attachment style, Margo might approach the caregiver but not look at her or him, or seem calm but then suddenly start weeping.