Which method is used to study infant attachment by examining reactions to separation and to the mother's return and to a stranger?

Which method is used to study infant attachment by examining reactions to separation and to the mother's return and to a stranger?

• A. Strange Situation Experiments
• B. Pit of Despair Experiments (Harlow)
• C. Temperament Studies
• D. Slow to Warm Up Temperament

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how researchers assess infant attachment by watching how a baby reacts when the caregiver leaves, when a stranger is present, and when the caregiver returns. In this approach, a babysitter-like series of brief separations and reunions happens in a controlled setting, often with the infant and a stranger, to see if the baby uses the caregiver as a secure base, shows distress, or avoids interaction. The observed responses help categorize attachment styles and reveal how the infant relates to the caregiver under stress, which reflects their internal working model of relationships. This method—developed within attachment theory—focuses specifically on the child’s behavior in relation to the caregiver and a stranger during separations and reunions. The other options describe different lines of research: the Pit of Despair work with monkeys explores effects of isolation and surrogate care, not human infant attachment in a structured separation/reunion context; temperament studies look at inherent personality traits in infancy and do not center on reactions to separation and reunion with a caregiver.

The main idea here is how researchers assess infant attachment by watching how a baby reacts when the caregiver leaves, when a stranger is present, and when the caregiver returns. In this approach, a babysitter-like series of brief separations and reunions happens in a controlled setting, often with the infant and a stranger, to see if the baby uses the caregiver as a secure base, shows distress, or avoids interaction. The observed responses help categorize attachment styles and reveal how the infant relates to the caregiver under stress, which reflects their internal working model of relationships. This method—developed within attachment theory—focuses specifically on the child’s behavior in relation to the caregiver and a stranger during separations and reunions.

The other options describe different lines of research: the Pit of Despair work with monkeys explores effects of isolation and surrogate care, not human infant attachment in a structured separation/reunion context; temperament studies look at inherent personality traits in infancy and do not center on reactions to separation and reunion with a caregiver.