What behavior is typical of Avoidant attachment?

What behavior is typical of Avoidant attachment?

• A. Resists being held by parents
• B. Extreme distress when parents leave
• C. Explore novel environment
• D. Do not go to caregiver once reunited

Answer: (A)

Avoidant attachment involves avoiding close contact and not seeking comfort from the caregiver. Resisting being held by parents is a direct sign of that pattern, showing a withdrawal from physical closeness and from parental comfort when distress occurs. Extreme distress when parents leave aligns more with anxious or ambivalent attachment, where the child is highly distressed by separation. Exploring a novel environment is typical of securely attached children who feel safe to explore while the caregiver is present. Not going to the caregiver after reunions can be seen in avoidant patterns as well, but the most characteristic and telling behavior is the active resistance to being held, which directly signals avoidance of comforting closeness.

Avoidant attachment involves avoiding close contact and not seeking comfort from the caregiver. Resisting being held by parents is a direct sign of that pattern, showing a withdrawal from physical closeness and from parental comfort when distress occurs.

Extreme distress when parents leave aligns more with anxious or ambivalent attachment, where the child is highly distressed by separation. Exploring a novel environment is typical of securely attached children who feel safe to explore while the caregiver is present. Not going to the caregiver after reunions can be seen in avoidant patterns as well, but the most characteristic and telling behavior is the active resistance to being held, which directly signals avoidance of comforting closeness.