Which of the following is NOT one of the four basic attachment styles in infants?

The correct choice is that "Dependent" is not one of the four basic attachment styles in infants. The four primary attachment styles identified in attachment theory are secure, avoidant, disorganized, and anxious-ambivalent (often referred to as simply ambivalent).

Secure attachment occurs when caregivers are consistently responsive to their infant's needs, leading children to feel safe and explore their environment while knowing they can return to their caregiver for comfort. Avoidant attachment develops when caregivers are distant or disengaged, prompting infants to become self-reliant and less likely to seek comfort from their caregivers. Disorganized attachment typically arises from inconsistent or frightening caregiver behavior, resulting in confusion and lack of a clear strategy for dealing with attachment needs.

The term "dependent" pertains more to interpersonal relationships in later life rather than a specific attachment style observed in infancy. It suggests a tendency for individuals to become overly reliant on others, but this concept does not categorize early attachment behaviors in the same way that secure, avoidant, disorganized, and anxious-ambivalent do. Thus, "Dependent" does not fit within the framework of attachment styles established for infants.