Ainsworth's Pattern of Attachment - RonaldMah

Ronald Mah, M.A., Ph.D.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist,
Consultant/Trainer/Author
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Ainsworth's Pattern of Attachment

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Ainsworth's Patterns of Attachment Theory


Secure Attachment (66%):
Attachment style in which an infant separates readily from the primary caregiver and actively seeks out the caregiver when she or he returns.

Avoidant Attachment (20%):
Attachment style in which an infant rarely cries when the primary caregiver leaves and avoids contact on his or her return.

Ambivalent (resistant) Attachment (12%):
Attachment style in which an infant becomes anxious before the primary caregiver leaves but both seeks and resists contact on the caregiver's return.

Disorganized-Disoriented Attachment:
Attachment style in which an infant shows contradictory behaviors, and seems confused and afraid.

Characteristics of caregivers of securely attached babies:
most sensitive to babies demands in first year of life;
observed "demand" feeding;
responsive to cues to stop, slow down, or speed up feeding;
more likely to soothe babies when they cried- to answer babies sounds;
more likely to talk to babies when they looked into caregiver's face;
tend to hold them closer to their bodies;
more responsive and skilled in caretaking;
had positive feelings about themselves.

Characteristics of caregivers of avoidant attached babies:
angriest of all caregivers;
tense;
irritable;
lacking in confidence;
seemed uninterested in their babies;
trouble expressing their feelings;
shied away from close physical contact with their babies.

Characteristics of caregivers of ambivalently attached babies:
well meaning but less capable;
tended to score lower on IQ tests;
understand less how to meet their babies' needs.
ADDRESS:
3056 Castro Valley Blvd., #82
Castro Valley, CA 94546
Ronald Mah, M.A., Ph.D.
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT32136
CONTACT INFORMATION:
office: (510) 582-5788
fax: (510) 889-6553
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