Throughout history, in the majority of families, a bond between the parent and child is evident. This bond can be considered what scholars refer to as “attachment”. The theory of attachment has undergone much research among scholars and a large amount of them have agreed that there are four types of attachment. An example of this research is the “Strange Situation”. To begin, I will describe each of the four types and provide examples to help better one’s understanding. Later, I will explain why scenario one is secure attachment and scenario two is insecure-resistant attachment. Although there is only two types in the given scenarios, there is actually four main categories or types. The first type of attachment is called secure-attachment. I actually believe I would have identified with this type the most. Secure-attachment is when toddlers use their caregiver, majority of the time it being the mother, as a secure foundation.
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In the Strange Situation the toddles used this secure foundation to explore the room. In this certain situation only the mother and the toddler are present, but upon separation, the toddlers tend to cry or show some sort of vocalization. However, when the mother returns they become happy and go to her to be held. The second type of attachment is Insecure-avoidant attachment. The toddlers in this situation showed little to no interaction with the present mother as well as no reaction when she left or returned. It was noted that when the toddlers left the Strange Situation, they were picked up, then immediately wanted to get down. The third type can be labeled as insecure-resistant attachment. The toddlers who identified in this type were less likely to explore. When the mother was present, they showed no interest in trying the toys out. When the mother left the room, a much greater distress was shown in the toddlers. When she returned, they showed ambivalence while running to greet her in relief. However, when the mother went to comfort the toddler, they would push her away. The final type is disorganized-disoriented attachment. The toddlers in this category showed unusual and out of the ordinary behavior to the Strange Situation. When the mother left the room, they seemed confused, but were also angry. When she would return they seemed fearful and would freeze their movements as she entered. Although it seems irregular, many of the children in this category have serious problems including autism or Down syndrome and even abuse or neglect. With all that being said, one should now be able to classify scenario one and two. In scenario one, an 18-month old boy named Sam is observed. As it is mentioned, while Sam’s mother is present, he plays with many of the toys. Sam also explores toys across the room while still glancing back at his mother every now and again. During all this, a stranger enters the room then leaves, with Sam’s mother following behind. As she is gone, he becomes very upset. However, when she returns, same is very happy and runs to greet her. She comforts him with a big hug. Considering what we know from the first type of attachment, called secure-attachment, I believe Sam fits in this category. The secure-attachment describes the toddler using the mother as a secure foundation to explore toys and in the scenario, Sam is doing exactly that.
In the Strange Situation the toddles used this secure foundation to explore the room. In this certain situation only the mother and the toddler are present, but upon separation, the toddlers tend to cry or show some sort of vocalization. However, when the mother returns they become happy and go to her to be held. The second type of attachment is Insecure-avoidant attachment. The toddlers in this situation showed little to no interaction with the present mother as well as no reaction when she left or returned. It was noted that when the toddlers left the Strange Situation, they were picked up, then immediately wanted to get down. The third type can be labeled as insecure-resistant attachment. The toddlers who identified in this type were less likely to explore. When the mother was present, they showed no interest in trying the toys out. When the mother left the room, a much greater distress was shown in the toddlers. When she returned, they showed ambivalence while running to greet her in relief. However, when the mother went to comfort the toddler, they would push her away. The final type is disorganized-disoriented attachment. The toddlers in this category showed unusual and out of the ordinary behavior to the Strange Situation. When the mother left the room, they seemed confused, but were also angry. When she would return they seemed fearful and would freeze their movements as she entered. Although it seems irregular, many of the children in this category have serious problems including autism or Down syndrome and even abuse or neglect. With all that being said, one should now be able to classify scenario one and two. In scenario one, an 18-month old boy named Sam is observed. As it is mentioned, while Sam’s mother is present, he plays with many of the toys. Sam also explores toys across the room while still glancing back at his mother every now and again. During all this, a stranger enters the room then leaves, with Sam’s mother following behind. As she is gone, he becomes very upset. However, when she returns, same is very happy and runs to greet her. She comforts him with a big hug. Considering what we know from the first type of attachment, called secure-attachment, I believe Sam fits in this category. The secure-attachment describes the toddler using the mother as a secure foundation to explore toys and in the scenario, Sam is doing exactly that.