Which psychologist is associated with discovering the three infant attachment patterns—secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent?

• A. Konrad Lorenz
• B. Sigmund Freud
• C. Mary Ainsworth
• D. Harry Harlow

Answer: (C)

Mary Ainsworth’s research using the Strange Situation revealed these infant attachment patterns. She observed how babies respond to a caregiver’s departures and returns and identified three main styles: securely attached infants rely on the caregiver as a secure base, showing distress when the caregiver leaves and easy soothing upon return; avoidant infants seem indifferent to the caregiver, not showing strong distress during separation or a strong reaction to reunion; anxious/ambivalent infants are highly distressed by separation and resist comfort when the caregiver returns, often seeking closeness but then pulling away. This work established the categories used to understand early attachment. Lorenz explored imprinting in animals, Freud developed psychosexual theory, and Harlow demonstrated the importance of comfort with surrogate mothers in monkeys, but the three infant attachment patterns come from Mary Ainsworth.