Styles or flavor

Last week I left off on the study that was designed to look at all associations between infants’ exploration of their surroundings and their attachment styles to them, the “Strange Situation.”

In this experiment the child’s age was between 12 and 18 months old, so very young. There are a set of entrances and exits made by a stranger and a mother of the child to watch how the child responds to external entities that are not familiar (stranger) when the mother might not be around. From this study Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation Classification (SSC) which included: secure, resistant and avoidant. In Secure, “the child displays distress when separated from the mother, but is easily soothed and returns their positive attitude quickly when reunited with them.” In Resistant, “the child displays intense distress when the mother leaves but resists contact with them when reunited.” And with Avoidant, “the child displays no distress when separated from their mother, as well as no interest in the mother’s return.”

After witnessing an interaction between a child and mother when a storm came through, with loud thunder, the young child was frightened and ran to their mother. Ainsworth broadened her scope and became focused on the research of identifying peculiar behaviors as such. This led to the identification of the fourth classification: the Disorganized attachment style, which encapsulated both resistant and avoidant behaviors.

As all of us grow throughout our lives, we can usually call to mind those that we have a great care for. Generally these people fall into the category of the closest people in our lives. With their absence it usually causes great distress, but all of us have different ways with dealing with grief - depending on what type of connection it was - what attachment style. On the flip side, when we are reunited with the attachment figure it can bring us great pleasure. Let’s take a look at the different classifications of attachment: Secure attachment - a characteristic of people who easily trust others, emotionally adept to their own and of others, can differentiate thoughts from feelings and can maintain a balanced sense of self and confidence.

Anxious attachment - as referred as “preoccupied,” an individual that has an extra-sensitive nervous system, hyperactivation of emotions and hypervigilance of possible threats. Usually have a positive view of others, but a negative view of themselves, as well as putting great effort into relationships, to the extent of self-sacrifice.

Avoidant attachment - or “dismissive,” are often individuals who downplay their emotions or dismiss them completely. Very highly independent and self-reliant. Usually have a fear of intimacy and being vulnerable. Maintaining or increasing distance when others try to connect emotionally.

Disorganized attachment - or “fearfulavoidant,” usually identified in individuals who have experienced childhood trauma or abuse. Demonstrates inconsistent behaviors and has a hard time trusting others. Oscillates between avoidant and anxious behaviors.

SEEKING

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SAMANTHA Y OCIUS CREATIVE MEDIA