The term identifies a standardized assessment procedure, developed by Mary Main and initially conceived by Mary Ainsworth, utilized in developmental psychology to evaluate the attachment style of an infant or young child (typically between 12 and 18 months) to their primary caregiver. The procedure involves a series of brief separations and reunions between the child and caregiver in a controlled laboratory setting. Observation of the child’s behavior during these episodes allows researchers to classify the child’s attachment style into one of several categories, such as secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant (or ambivalent), and disorganized.
This procedure offers valuable insights into the nature of early caregiver-child relationships and their potential long-term impact on social and emotional development. Its application has significantly contributed to understanding the roots of attachment theory, allowing researchers to correlate early attachment styles with later social competence, relationship patterns, and psychological well-being. Historically, it represented a crucial advancement in the empirical study of attachment, moving the field beyond purely theoretical perspectives.
