Note the key differences in how children react to this situation: True, some kids get more visibly distressed at mom's leaving and more readily comforted by her return than others; but the key differentiator between the "secure" and “insecure" kids is how much interest they show in the rest of their environment throughout the experiment. The anxiously preoccupied kids cling to mom upon her return, whereas the avoidant kids pay her little heed. But, crucially, neither type of kid shows as much independent interest and initiative in exploring the rest of the room as the securely attached kid.