Which statement best describes strategies that promote attachment security?

• A. Consistent, sensitive, contingent responses and predictable routines
• B. Inconsistent responsiveness and unpredictable routines
• C. Detachment and punitive measures
• D. Occasional care with no responsiveness

Answer: (A)

Solid attachment security comes from caregivers who are consistently responsive and attuned to the infant's needs. When a caregiver responds promptly and appropriately to signals, showing sensitivity and contingency—the right response at the right moment—the infant learns that the caregiver can be trusted to be available. Pairing this with predictable routines reduces uncertainty and anxiety, giving the child a secure base from which to explore and regulate emotions. Over time, this reliable, sensitive caregiving supports stronger emotional development and social trust. Inconsistent responses and unpredictable routines create uncertainty; detachment and punitive care undermine safety and trust; and care that is occasional with no responsive engagement fails to establish the dependable foundation that secure attachment requires.