13. Ainsworth's Strange Situation AO1

Question 1

What did Mary Ainsworth develop and why?

Answer 1

She developed a strange situation as a method to access the quality of a Childs attachment to a caregiver

Question 2

What kind of observation is Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 2

It is a controlled observation procedure in a lab (a controlled environment) with a two way mirror through which psychologists can observe an infants behaviour

Question 3

How many categories are used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 3

Five

Question 4

What is the first category used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 4

Proximity seeking - well attached infants stay close to caregiver

Question 5

What is the second category used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 5

Exploration and secure-based behaviour - good attachment makes a child confident to explore, using the caregiver as a point of safety

Question 6

What is the third category used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 6

Stranger anxiety - displayed by well attached infants

Question 7

What is the fourth category used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 7

Separation anxiety - displayed by while attached infants

Question 8

What is the fifth category used to judge attachment quality?

Answer 8

Response to reunion with the caregiver after separation for a short period of time - well attached infants are enthusiastic

Question 9

How many episodes does Ainsworth’s procedure have?

Answer 9

Seven

Question 10

How long to each of Ainsworth’s seven episodes last for?

Answer 10

Three minutes

Question 11

What is the first of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 11

Child is encouraged to explore by caregiver

Question 12

What is the second of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 12

Stranger enters and talks to the caregiver

Question 13

What is the third of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 13

The caregiver leaves

Question 14

What is the fourth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 14

The caregiver returns and stranger leaves

Question 15

What is the fifth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 15

The caregiver leaves and the child is alone

Question 16

What is the sixth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 16

The stranger returns

Question 17

What is the seventh of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?

Answer 17

The caregiver returns

Question 18

What did Ainsworth discover?

Answer 18

Ainsworth found distinct patterns in the way inference behaved, she identified three main attachment types

Question 19

What was the first attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?

Answer 19

Secure attachment, type b, 60-70%

Question 20

What was the second attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?

Answer 20

Insecure avoidant attachment, type a, 20-25%

Question 21

What was the third attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?

Answer 21

Insecure resistant, type c, 3%

Question 22

What were the characteristics of a child with secure attachment?

Answer 22

• Child is happy to explore but six proximity with the caregiver
• Shows moderate separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
• Requires and accepts comfort from the caregiver on reunion

Question 23

What were the characteristics of a child with insecure avoidant attachment?

Answer 23

• Child explores freely but does not seek proximity
• Shows little/no separation or stranger anxiety
• Does not require comfort at the reunion stage

Question 24

What were the characteristics of a child with insecure resistant attachment?

Answer 24

• Child explores less and seeks greater proximity
• Shows considerable stranger and separation anxiety
• Resists come for one reunited with caregiver