Mrs Smythe is in charge of a local nursery that looks after children aged from six months old to five years old - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2022 - Paper 2

Ainsworth identified three main types of attachment styles: secure, anxious-resistant, and anxious-avoidant.

1. Secure Attachment: Children who exhibit a secure attachment are often distressed when left alone with a stranger but seek comfort from their caregiver upon return. In the nursery context, some of the children may display sadness when their parent leaves but quickly adapt and engage with caregivers, indicating a secure attachment style.

2. Anxious-Resistant Attachment: This type of attachment is characterized by children who are very distressed when their parent departs, and upon their return, they may seek comfort yet also exhibit resistance. Mrs Smythe observes that some children do not want to leave their parent amidst the day, which indicates they may exhibit anxious-resistant behaviors as they fear separation excessively.

3. Anxious-Avoidant Attachment: Children categorized as anxious-avoidant tend to avoid seeking comfort from their caregivers, showing little to no display of distress when their parent leaves or returns. If some children at the nursery appear indifferent to their parents when they arrive to collect them, this behavior suggests they may not be addressing their emotional needs effectively.

Moreover, it is important to consider the interactions of parents with their children as they leave the nursery. Some parents may reassure their children, helping to secure their attachment, while others may inadvertently foster an anxious-avoidant style by being emotionally distant.

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation study provides evidence for these patterns, showing that secure attachment leads to positive long-term outcomes in children. It is essential, as Mrs Smythe notices, to understand that attachments can vary not only between children but also influenced by different parenting styles observed in the nursery.