What type of development does Ainsworth's work primarily focus on?

Ainsworth's research primarily centers on attachment development, which refers to the emotional bond that forms between infants and their caregivers. This area of study is crucial for understanding how these early relationships influence a child's social, emotional, and cognitive growth throughout life. Her most famous work, the Strange Situation procedure, categorizes the types of attachment—secure, avoidant, and anxious/ambivalent—allowing researchers to explore how variations in attachment styles impact a person's emotional and social functioning. This work highlights the significance of secure attachments in fostering healthy psychological development and underscores the critical role caregivers play in shaping a child's relational patterns.