At what stage in development is stranger anxiety most prevalent?

Stranger anxiety is most prevalent in infants from around 6 to 12 months of age due to several developmental factors. During this period, infants begin to develop a stronger attachment to their primary caregivers, which enhances their ability to recognize familiar faces and differentiate them from unfamiliar ones. As babies grow, they gain cognitive skills that help them understand social interactions, leading them to feel more secure with caregivers and increasingly wary of strangers.

This heightened awareness and preference for familiar individuals contribute to the emotional response known as stranger anxiety. It serves an evolutionary function, helping infants be cautious in potentially risky situations and promoting the attachment bond that is crucial for their survival and emotional development. By this stage, infants are typically mobile and more aware of their surrounding environment, making their reactions to unfamiliar people more pronounced.

Developmentally, this phase is also marked by growing social cognition and emotional regulation, further explaining why stranger anxiety tends to peak around 6 to 12 months. It is a critical aspect of social development as infants learn to navigate their relationships and the world around them.