Attachment theory was primarily developed by which researchers?

• A. Skinner and Watson
• B. Piaget and Vygotsky
• C. Harlow and Lorenz
• D. Bowlby and Ainsworth

Answer: (D)

Attachment theory centers on the bond between a child and caregiver and how that relationship shapes emotional development. John Bowlby introduced the idea that attachment behaviors evolved to keep infants close to a caregiver for protection, and that early experiences form internal models for later relationships. Mary Ainsworth then developed the Strange Situation and identified distinct attachment patterns, expanding and validating Bowlby’s ideas. The other names are known for different domains—behavioral conditioning, cognitive development, or animal studies—whereas Bowlby and Ainsworth are the primary developers of attachment theory.