A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam 2025 - Free Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

Ainsworth and Bell's work primarily revolves around the concept of attachment in early development, particularly through their development of the Strange Situation procedure. This research aimed to observe and categorize the attachment styles of infants with their caregivers.

The acronym linked to their work represents different types of attachment behaviors that children exhibit, such as secure attachment, insecure-avoidant attachment, and insecure-resistant attachment. These attachments are crucial for understanding how early relational experiences influence emotional and social development later in life. Thus, the focus is on how these attachment processes shape children's ability to form relationships and to cope with stress, making the concept of attachment in early development central to their findings.

The other choices, while relevant to child development, do not capture the essence of Ainsworth and Bell's theories regarding how early attachments can profoundly influence a child's developmental trajectory and emotional security.