Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A type of emotional bond where children do not trust their caregivers consistently and may show various degrees of resistance or avoidance towards them.
Related terms
Avoidant Attachment Style: An attachment style characterized by difficulty trusting and relying on others, leading to avoidance of close relationships.
Ambivalent Attachment Style: An attachment style characterized by intense emotional dependence on others coupled with fear of abandonment and rejection.
Disorganized Attachment Style: An attachment style characterized by confusion about whether to approach or avoid the caregiver due to inconsistent responses.