In the Strange Situation, Latoya basically ignored her mother, was not upset when she left the room, and did not seek her out when she returned. Mary Ainsworth would most likely classify Latoya as _____________.

Mary Dinsmore Ainsworth was one of the famous developmental psychologists and was best known for introducing the "attachment theory" and "strange situation assessment". According to her, there are at most four different types of attachment styles that a child has with his or her caregiver or parents including:

1. Avoidant – dismissing.

2. Secure – autonomous.

3. Disorganized – unresolved.

4. Anxious – preoccupied.

Insecure avoidant: The term "insecure-avoidant" is described as an attachment style in which a child doesn't orientate to his or her attachment figure i.e, parents or caregiver while exploring the surrounding environment. An insecure-avoidant child is very much independent of his or her attachment figure emotionally as well as physically.

In the question above, Mary Ainsworth would most likely classify Latoya as insecure-avoidant.