Attachment Behaviours in Insecure-Avoidant and Insecure-Resistant Infants

Attachment theory, pioneered by John Bowlby, suggests that infants form emotional bonds with their primary caregivers, significantly influencing their social and emotional development. While secure attachment is considered ideal, some infants develop insecure attachment styles, broadly categorized as insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant. These styles manifest as distinct differences in the infants' behavior towards their caregivers.

One key difference between insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant infants lies in their proximity-seeking behavior and reactions to separation and reunion with their caregivers. Insecure-avoidant infants display low proximity-seeking behavior, appearing indifferent to their caregiver's presence or absence. They show low levels of separation anxiety when the caregiver leaves and minimal reaction upon reunion, often ignoring or avoiding them. This seeming indifference masks a strategy to suppress their need for closeness due to a perceived lack of responsiveness from the caregiver.

In stark contrast, insecure-resistant infants exhibit high proximity-seeking, appearing clingy and overly dependent on their caregivers. They demonstrate intense separation anxiety when the caregiver leaves and are difficult to soothe upon their return. They exhibit ambivalent behavior, seeking proximity while simultaneously resisting comfort or interaction, highlighting their frustration and uncertainty about the caregiver's availability and responsiveness.

While both insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant infants display atypical attachment behaviors, the core difference lies in their responses to separation and reunion. The avoidant infant's apparent indifference reflects a learned suppression of their need for closeness, while the resistant infant's ambivalence stems from an unpredictable caregiving experience, leading to heightened anxiety and conflicting desires for closeness and distance. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for providing appropriate support and interventions to foster secure attachment relationships.