Which types of attachment were identified by Mary Ainsworth?

Mary Ainsworth identified three primary types of attachment patterns in children through her research, particularly in the "Strange Situation" study. The correct answer refers to these established categories: secure attachment, anxious-resistant (also known as ambivalent attachment), and anxious-avoidant attachment.

Secure attachment is characterized by a child who feels safe and comfortable in their environment, is easily soothed by the caregiver, and displays confidence in the caregiver’s availability. Anxious-resistant attachment refers to children who may be overly clingy but also display resistance or ambivalence toward the caregiver, often due to inconsistent responses from the caregiver. Anxious-avoidant attachment is observed in children who tend to avoid or ignore the caregiver, showing little emotional response to them, which typically stems from a lack of responsiveness from the caregiver.

This categorization is significant in understanding how early experiences with caregivers can shape emotional and social development in later life. The other answer choices present terms or concepts that do not accurately reflect the attachment theory established by Ainsworth, thus reinforcing the validity of the identified types in choice B.