Before the infants' behavior was assessed in the Strange Situation, researchers closely observed mothers and children in their homes, paying careful attention to each mother's style of responding to her infant in a number of fundamental areas: feeding, crying, cuddling, eye contact, and smiling. At twelve months the infant and his or her mother were taken to the lab and the infant was observed as the infant was separated from his or her mother, as well as upon the mother's return.