Jekaterina works as a child psychologist in a local health centre - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 2

Bowlby posited that children have an innate need to form a primary attachment with one main caregiver. This attachment is crucial for their emotional development and influences their behavior; children who feel secure in their attachment are more likely to explore their environment. In Jekaterina's practice, most children exhibit healthy emotional bonds with their parents, which suggests they have developed a secure attachment that allows them to explore the surroundings without excessive anxiety.

However, separation from their attachment figure can lead to negative outcomes, particularly if it occurs during critical developmental periods. For instance, the five-year-old child who hits others may be exhibiting signs of distress stemming from an insecure attachment, possibly due to the mother's return to work when he was only three months old. His behavior may reflect a disrupted attachment, leading to frustration and underlying anxiety, making him less adept in social interactions.

Additionally, when children express distress upon not seeing their parent, as noted with others in the practice room, it illustrates separation anxiety—a normal response indicating the crucial need for attachment during early development. In essence, Bowlby’s theories help illuminate the dynamics observed by Jekaterina, correlating the children's emotional behaviors with their attachment experiences.