13. Ainsworth's Strange Situation AO1 Flashcards
What did Mary Ainsworth develop and why?
She developed a strange situation as a method to access the quality of a Childs attachment to a caregiver
What kind of observation is Ainsworth’s study?
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
How many categories are used to judge attachment quality?
Five
What is the first category used to judge attachment quality?
Proximity seeking - well attached infants stay close to caregiver
What is the second category used to judge attachment quality?
Exploration and secure-based behaviour - good attachment makes a child confident to explore, using the caregiver as a point of safety
What is the third category used to judge attachment quality?
Stranger anxiety - displayed by well attached infants
What is the fourth category used to judge attachment quality?
Separation anxiety - displayed by while attached infants
What is the fifth category used to judge attachment quality?
Response to reunion with the caregiver after separation for a short period of time - well attached infants are enthusiastic
How many episodes does Ainsworth’s procedure have?
Seven
How long to each of Ainsworth’s seven episodes last for?
Three minutes
What is the first of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
Child is encouraged to explore by caregiver
What is the second of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
Stranger enters and talks to the caregiver
What is the third of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
The caregiver leaves
What is the fourth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
The caregiver returns and stranger leaves
What is the fifth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
The caregiver leaves and the child is alone
What is the sixth of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
The stranger returns
What is the seventh of Ainsworth’s seven episodes?
The caregiver returns
What did Ainsworth discover?
Ainsworth found distinct patterns in the way inference behaved, she identified three main attachment types
What was the first attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?
Secure attachment, type b, 60-70%
What was the second attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?
Insecure avoidant attachment, type a, 20-25%
What was the third attachment type that Ainsworth found, what type was it and what percentage of British toddlers did it apply to?
Insecure resistant, type c, 3%
What were the characteristics of a child with secure attachment?
- 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
What were the characteristics of a child with insecure avoidant attachment?
- Child explores freely but does not seek proximity
- Shows little/no separation or stranger anxiety
- Does not require comfort at the reunion stage
What were the characteristics of a child with insecure resistant attachment?
- Child explores less and seeks greater proximity
- Shows considerable stranger and separation anxiety
- Resists come for one reunited with caregiver
