According to Ainsworth's maternal sensitivity hypothesis, a child's attachment style is influenced by the way their mother interacts with them.
'Sensitive' mothers react appropriately to their children's moods and feelings as well as to their requirements. Children of sensitive mothers are more likely to form strong attachments.
Contrarily, women who are less attentive to their child, such as those who respond poorly to the child's needs or who are impatient or ignore the child, are more likely to have children who have insecure attachments.
The findings of Ainsworth (1971, 1978) offered the first empirical support for Bowlby's attachment theory.
According to Ainsworth, the inconsistent presence of a caregiver may disrupt the formation of secure attachment.
<h3>What is Ainsworth's theory?</h3>
The "caregiver sensitivity hypothesis" was put forth by Ainsworth (1978) as a theory to explain various attachment styles. According to Ainsworth's maternal sensitivity hypothesis, a child's attachment style is influenced by how their mother interacts with them.
'Sensitive' mothers react appropriately to their children's moods and feelings and to their requirements. Children of sensitive mothers are more likely to form strong attachments.
Contrarily, women who are less attentive to their child, such as those who respond poorly to the child's needs or who are impatient or ignore the child, are more likely to have children who have insecure attachments.
