insecure attachment

in the Strange Situation, one of several patterns of a generally negative parent–child relationship in which the child fails to display confidence when the parent is present, sometimes shows distress when the parent leaves, and reacts to the returning parent by avoidance (see avoidant attachment) or with ambivalence (see ambivalent attachment). See also anxious–avoidant attachment; anxious–resistant attachment; disorganized attachment. Compare secure attachment.

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Psychology term of the day

January 21st 2025

narcissistic object choice

narcissistic object choice

in psychoanalytic theory, selection of a mate or other love object similar to oneself. Compare anaclitic object choice.