Stranger anxiety in infants tends to be influenced by which of the following factors?

• A. The infant's stage of attachment development
• B. The amount of sleep the infant gets each night
• C. The presence of siblings in the household
• D. The infant's ability to walk independently

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of stranger anxiety: It is a form of distress that infants experience when exposed to unfamiliar people, typically emerging around 6 to 8 months of age.
2. Recognize that stranger anxiety is closely linked to the infant's attachment development, which refers to the emotional bond formed between the infant and their primary caregiver.
3. Consider how the infant's stage of attachment development affects their response to strangers; as attachment strengthens, infants become more wary of unfamiliar people.
4. Evaluate other factors such as sleep, presence of siblings, and walking ability, and understand that while these may influence overall behavior, they are not primary determinants of stranger anxiety.
5. Conclude that the infant's stage of attachment development is the key factor influencing stranger anxiety because it reflects the infant's growing awareness of and preference for familiar caregivers.