Which of the following is considered the hallmark of secure attachment in infants?

• A. The infant shows little or no distress when the caregiver leaves and ignores the caregiver upon return.
• B. The infant avoids all contact with the caregiver and prefers to be alone.
• C. The infant is overly clingy and has difficulty being soothed even when the caregiver returns.
• D. The infant seeks comfort from the caregiver when distressed and is easily soothed upon reunion.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of attachment in developmental psychology, which refers to the emotional bond between an infant and their caregiver.
2. Recognize that secure attachment is characterized by the infant using the caregiver as a secure base from which to explore and seeking comfort from the caregiver when distressed.
3. Identify behaviors typical of secure attachment, such as the infant showing distress when the caregiver leaves and being easily soothed upon the caregiver's return.
4. Contrast secure attachment with insecure attachment styles, such as avoidant (ignoring caregiver), ambivalent (overly clingy and difficult to soothe), and disorganized attachment.
5. Conclude that the hallmark of secure attachment is the infant seeking comfort from the caregiver when distressed and being easily soothed upon reunion.