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GOWhich baby has secure attachment: 1st or 2nd?
The answer is 1st.
While many people think attachment is about how much a baby cries when a parent leaves, researchers actually look at the reunion.
Baby #1 (Secure): Shows “secure base” behavior. They may be distressed when mom leaves, but they seek her out immediately upon her return, are easily comforted, and quickly go back to exploring.
Baby #2 (Avoidant): Appears “independent” or unfazed. They don’t cry much during separation and may actively ignore or avoid the parent during the reunion, focusing on toys instead.
The “Independent” Myth: To the untrained eye, Baby 2 looks like a “chill” baby. However, heart rate monitors tell a different story. These infants often show high physiological stress (elevated heart rate and cortisol), just like the crying baby.
Baby 2 has learned a defensive strategy. If a caregiver is consistently dismissive or intrusive, the baby learns to “mask” their distress to avoid further rejection. They aren’t naturally independent; they are practicing premature self-reliance because they’ve learned they cannot rely on their caregiver for emotional regulation.
The above clip is a sample from the strange situation protocol, created by the attachment researcher Mary Ainsworth.
It’s called the “Strange Situation” because the infant is placed in a controlled but unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar events that create mild, manageable stress. The infant is brought into a lab playroom they have never seen before. Even though it has toys, it is still psychologically “strange” because it is unfamiliar and there is a stranger present. This activates the attachment system, especially when the caregiver is gone.
The babies in the videos are around 12-15 months. #goodenoughpsychiatrist #mentalhealth #childdevelopment psychology parenting
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