During a pediatric visit, a mother reports that her 9-month-old infant becomes extremely distressed when she leaves the room, which was not the case a few months ago. This behavior most likely represents which normal developmental process?
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✓ Correct answer: C. Separation anxietyStranger anxiety and separation anxiety typically develop around 6-9 months of age as infants begin to form specific attachments to caregivers and can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people. This represents normal social-emotional development and coincides with the development of object permanence - the understanding that objects (and people) continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.
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Theory