Considered the most common and healthiest attachment style, secure attachment is characterized by the child's preference for their parent over a stranger. The parent serves as a secure base, enabling exploration and providing comfort during stress. In the Strange Situation, securely attached children are typically distressed by the caregiver's departure but are happy and easily soothed upon their return. This pattern is associated with caregivers who are sensitive and responsive to their child's needs.

Secure Child-Caregiver Attachment in the Strange Situation

Positive view of oneself (worthy of love) and positive view of others (accepting and loving).  In a child-parent relationship, the child is not stressed when the parent leaves the room.

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- Dismissive (Avoidant) Attachment
- Fearful -Avoidant (Disorganized) Attachment
- Preoccupied (Anxious) Attachment
- Secure attachment 


Attachment Styles

unknown. (n.d.). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 2, 2021, from https://dictionary.apa.org/attachment-style. 

APA Definition of Attachment Styles - Each Attachment Linked

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Secure Attachment

In contrast to parent-child relationships, both partners may rely on each other to fulfill attachment needs in adult relationships. Thus, attachment and caregiving processes are highly interrelated in adults. Adult attachment styles develop along two dimensions: attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance.

Attachment Styles in Adults

People with this attachment style have a negative view of themselves and others. Doubt themselves and others when it comes to their own abilities and their partner's abilities.

Fearful-Avoidant (Disorganized) Attachment 

People with this attachment style have a negative view of themself but have a positive view of others.  They doubt themselves but trust fully in others.

Preoccupied (Anxious) Attachment

People with this attachment style view themselves as worthy of love but view other people as untrustworthy.  Summary: positive view of self, negative view of others

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