Which of the following is NOT one of the attachment styles identified by Bowlby?

Bowlby’s attachment theory identifies several distinct attachment styles that describe the dynamics of long-term relationships between humans, particularly focusing on the bonds formed in early life between infants and their caregivers. The recognized attachment styles include Secure Attachment, Insecure Attachment (often referred to as Ambivalent-Resistant), and Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment.

Secure Attachment is characterized by comfort with intimacy and independence, while the Insecure Attachment styles (which include anxious-ambivalent and avoidant) represent maladaptive responses to attachment figures, characterized by varying degrees of anxiety and disarray in relational approaches. Disorganized/Disoriented Attachment illustrates a lack of clear attachment behavior, often resulting from inconsistent or troubling interactions with caregivers.

"Overly Dependent Attachment," however, is not one of the attachment styles identified by Bowlby. While dependency can be a characteristic of certain attachment issues, it is not a formal category in Bowlby's typology. Instead, he categorizes attachment styles based on the behaviors and emotional responses exhibited in relationships rather than labeling dependent behaviors as a standalone style. Thus, recognizing that this term is not used within the framework of Bowlby's attachment theory affirms that it does not fit among the established categories of attachment styles. This makes it the correct