That is, they are not arbitrary divisions on a spectrum. The first was the B4 subgroup of secure infants. These infants are extremely distressed by separation but, unlike resistant infants, they show active proximity seeking and contact maintaining. Most importantly, they are comforted by contact and return to effective play as long as they are permitted to stay close to mother or on her lap. A lthough secure, avoidant, and resistant attachment patterns are familiar, it would be too much to say that we fully understand them.
Identification is a matter of establishing that the pattern exists.
That is, it can be coded reliably and is frequent enough to be considered a significant distinction, and shows patterns of stability and change consistent with attachment theory. Validation is the process of demonstrating that the pattern reflects individual differences in secure base behavior, not temperament, DQ, or some other behavioral or psychological construct. Validation research typically involves examining predicted correlates such as maternal sensitivity or maternal state of mind with respect to attachment, secure base behavior at home, and affective, behavioral, and cognitive correlates in naturalistic and standardized settings. It also involves examining alternative interpretations by independently assessing temperament, IQ, etc. Finally, explanation is the process of developing and testing hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying an attachment pattern.