Children exhibiting a disorganized attachment style may display which of the following behaviors?

Children exhibiting a disorganized attachment style may demonstrate a range of behaviors that often appear contradictory or confusing. The presence of passivity and aggression in their interactions reflects the lack of a coherent strategy for dealing with stress or seeking comfort from caregivers. This disorganized attachment often arises from experiencing frightening or inconsistent caregiving, leading to a breakdown in the child's ability to anticipate and respond to their caregiver's reactions.

As a result, these children may freeze or show a lack of direction in their behavior (passivity), or they may react with sudden anger or aggression as a way to express their distress or disconnection. This unpredictability in emotional states and behaviors is characteristic of disorganized attachment, highlighting the significant impact of their caregiving environment on their behavioral responses.

In contrast, soothing interactions or consistent clinginess would indicate a more organized attachment style, while exploratory behavior without reliance on caregivers typically reflects a secure attachment, where the child feels safe to explore while knowing they have a reliable caregiver to return to.