Ainsworth's attachment styles

Ainsworth identified three main attachment styles based on how individuals relate to others, especially in close relationships. **Secure attachment** develops when caregivers are consistently responsive, leading to trust and comfort with intimacy. **Anxious attachment** arises from inconsistent caregiving, causing fear of abandonment and overdependence. **Avoidant attachment** results from distant or unresponsive caregiving, leading to emotional independence and difficulty trusting others. These styles influence how people connect, trust, and handle intimacy throughout life, shaping their relationships and emotional well-being.