In the context of attachment, self-soothing is to active as secure attachment is to which type of attachment?

• A. insecure attachment
• B. disorganized attachment
• C. avoidant attachment
• D. anxious attachment

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of self-soothing in attachment theory. Self-soothing refers to an active strategy where an individual regulates their emotions independently, often seen in securely attached individuals.
2. Step 2: Recognize that secure attachment is characterized by effective emotional regulation and comfort with intimacy, often involving active coping strategies like self-soothing.
3. Step 3: Identify the contrasting types of attachment, which are generally considered insecure: avoidant, anxious (ambivalent), and disorganized attachment. These represent less effective or passive emotional regulation strategies.
4. Step 4: Analyze the analogy: 'self-soothing is to active as secure attachment is to ___.' Since self-soothing is an active strategy linked to secure attachment, the opposite or contrasting attachment type would be one associated with less effective or passive strategies, i.e., an insecure attachment.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best fit for the analogy is 'insecure attachment,' as it contrasts with secure attachment in the same way that passive or less effective emotional regulation contrasts with active self-soothing.