Which term describes the emotional distress infants experience when separated from their caregivers?

The term that describes the emotional distress infants experience when separated from their caregivers is separation anxiety. This phenomenon typically begins around 6 to 8 months of age, as infants develop a strong attachment to their primary caregivers. When these attachments are disrupted through separation, infants often exhibit signs of distress such as crying, clinging, or acting withdrawn.

Separation anxiety is not only an indicator of the infant's developing emotional bonds but also reflects their growing awareness of their environment and relationships. As they learn to recognize and prefer their caregivers, the absence of the caregiver can trigger feelings of insecurity and fear.

In contrast, other terms like self-concept, stranger anxiety, and object permanence refer to different aspects of child development. Self-concept pertains to a child's understanding of themselves, while stranger anxiety refers to the discomfort that infants may feel in the presence of unfamiliar people. Object permanence involves the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, which is critical for cognitive development but not directly related to the emotions tied to caregiver separation.