Which attachment style is not considered one of the three main patterns described?

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

Answer: (D)

In classic attachment research, the three main patterns described are secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent. A securely attached infant seeks comfort from the caregiver when needed and feels comfortable exploring once the caregiver is present. An insecure-avoidant infant shows little distress during separation and avoids or ignores the caregiver upon reunion. An insecure-anxious (anxious/ambivalent) infant stays highly distressed and is hard to soothe, often showing ambivalence when the caregiver returns. Disorganized attachment, however, is not one of these original three; it’s a later-added pattern that reflects a lack of coherent attachment strategy, with contradictory, disoriented behaviors often tied to frightening or unpredictable caregiving. So disorganized attachment is not part of the three main patterns described.