Which psychologist is associated with Disorganized-Disoriented Attachment?

Which psychologist is associated with Disorganized-Disoriented Attachment?

• A. B.F. Skinner
• B. Jean Piaget
• C. Mary Ainsworth
• D. Sigmund Freud

Answer: (C)

In attachment theory, Disorganized-Disoriented attachment describes a pattern where the infant shows conflicting, disorganized behavior toward the caregiver—approaching but then freezing, turning away, or displaying contradictory actions during reunion or stress. This pattern was identified by Mary Ainsworth after her Strange Situation studies, where she and colleagues observed how infants respond to separations and reunions with their caregiver. It signals that the child has no coherent strategy for seeking comfort, often linked to frightening or inconsistent caregiver behavior or early trauma. B.F. Skinner is known for operant conditioning and reinforcement learning, not attachment patterns. Jean Piaget developed stages of cognitive development, and Sigmund Freud focused on psychosexual development. None of these theorists framed attachment styles in the way Mary Ainsworth did.

In attachment theory, Disorganized-Disoriented attachment describes a pattern where the infant shows conflicting, disorganized behavior toward the caregiver—approaching but then freezing, turning away, or displaying contradictory actions during reunion or stress. This pattern was identified by Mary Ainsworth after her Strange Situation studies, where she and colleagues observed how infants respond to separations and reunions with their caregiver. It signals that the child has no coherent strategy for seeking comfort, often linked to frightening or inconsistent caregiver behavior or early trauma.

B.F. Skinner is known for operant conditioning and reinforcement learning, not attachment patterns. Jean Piaget developed stages of cognitive development, and Sigmund Freud focused on psychosexual development. None of these theorists framed attachment styles in the way Mary Ainsworth did.