Which attachment style is characterized by resisting being held by parents and exploring a novel environment?

• A. Secure
• B. Avoidant
• C. Anxious/ambivalent
• D. Disorganized

Answer: (B)

Attachment styles describe how an infant balances seeking closeness with a caregiver and exploring the surrounding environment. Resisting being held by parents while still exploring a new environment fits avoidant attachment. In this pattern, the child minimizes contact with the caregiver and relies on themselves to explore, often showing little distress at separation and not using the caregiver as a secure base. This tendency usually develops when caregivers are consistently less responsive to closeness, prompting the child to socially distance and become self-reliant. By contrast, secure attachment involves seeking comfort from the caregiver and using them as a safe base; anxious/ambivalent attachment features clinginess and high distress, and disorganized attachment shows inconsistent, unpredictable behavior. So, the described behavior best matches avoidance.