Which of the following best indicates attachment behavior?

• A. Preferring toys over people
• B. Crying when parent leaves
• C. Becoming cue sensitive to the baby's behavior
• D. Sleeping through the night

Answer: (B)

Crying when a parent leaves is the clearest sign of attachment. When a caregiver forms a bond with an infant, the child comes to rely on that person for safety and comfort. The moment the parent departs, the infant protests or becomes distressed because the anticipated security is gone, signaling a strong emotional connection and expectation of the caregiver’s presence. This separation distress is a hallmark of attachment behavior.

Preferring toys over people doesn’t show an emotional bond to the caregiver; it’s more about object interest or social development that doesn’t demonstrate the infant’s reliance on a specific caregiver. Becoming cue sensitive to the baby’s behavior describes how a caregiver responds, which supports attachment, but it’s not an indicator of the infant’s own attachment behavior. Sleeping through the night relates to sleep patterns and routines, not to the presence of an attachment bond.