3. ATTACHMENT (Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation’. Types of attachment: secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-resistant)

Question 1

What was the aim of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation study?

Answer 1

To investigate key attachment behaviours and assess the quality of a child’s attachment to their caregiver.

Question 2

How many stages were in the Strange Situation, and how long did each last?

Answer 2

There were 8 stages, each lasting 3 minutes.

Question 3

What is the “Safe base behaviour” category in the Strange Situation?

Answer 3

It refers to how physically close the infant stays to the caregiver and how much they explore the room and toys independently.

Question 4

What is “Separation behaviour” in the Strange Situation?

Answer 4

It measures how the infant responds when their caregiver leaves the room.

Question 5

What is meant by “Stranger anxiety” in the Strange Situation?

Answer 5

It assesses how the infant reacts to the presence of a stranger in the room.

Question 6

What does “Reunion behaviour” measure in the Strange Situation?

Answer 6

It looks at how the infant responds when their caregiver returns to the room.

Question 7

What percentage of infants in Ainsworth’s study showed a secure attachment?

Answer 7

66% of infants were securely attached (Type B).

Question 8

What is the attachment behaviour of a securely attached infant during “Safe base behaviour”?

Answer 8

They stay fairly close to the caregiver, using them as a safe base while exploring, and return regularly.

Question 9

How does a securely attached infant respond to “Stranger anxiety”?

Answer 9

They show moderate stranger anxiety and move closer to their caregiver.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of “Separation anxiety” in a securely attached infant?

Answer 10

They show some distress when the caregiver leaves the room.

Question 11

What is the reunion behaviour of a securely attached infant?

Answer 11

They are easily comforted by their caregiver when distressed.

Question 12

What type of attachment is shown by 22% of infants in Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 12

Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A).

Question 13

What attachment behaviour is typical of an insecure-avoidant infant during “Safe base behaviour”?

Answer 13

They move far from the caregiver and explore independently.

Question 14

How does an insecure-avoidant infant react to “Stranger anxiety”?

Answer 14

They show very low stranger anxiety.

Question 15

How does an insecure-avoidant infant behave when separated from their caregiver?

Answer 15

They are unconcerned when the caregiver leaves the room.

Question 16

What is the reunion behaviour of an insecure-avoidant infant?

Answer 16

They avoid contact with the caregiver and do not seek comfort.

Question 17

What percentage of infants in Ainsworth’s study showed insecure-resistant attachment (Type C)?

Answer 17

12% of infants showed insecure-resistant attachment.

Question 18

How does an insecure-resistant infant behave in “Safe base behaviour”?

Answer 18

They stay very close to the caregiver, not exploring the room, and cling to them.

Question 19

How does an insecure-resistant infant react to “Stranger anxiety”?

Answer 19

They show very high or extreme stranger anxiety.

Question 20

How does an insecure-resistant infant behave when separated from their caregiver?

Answer 20

They show extreme distress when the caregiver leaves the room.

Question 21

What is the reunion behaviour of an insecure-resistant infant?

Answer 21

They seek physical contact with the caregiver but reject comfort.

Question 22

What is the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis?

Answer 22

It suggests that a child’s attachment style depends on the caregiver’s sensitivity and responsiveness to the child’s needs.

Question 23

How do securely attached infants’ mothers behave according to the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis?

Answer 23

They are sensitive, emotionally responsive, and supportive.

Question 24

How do insecure-avoidant infants’ mothers behave according to the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis?

Answer 24

They are often rejecting and unresponsive to the child’s needs.

Question 25

How do insecure-resistant infants’ mothers behave according to the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis?

Answer 25

They are inconsistent in their responses to the child’s needs.

Question 26

How did Ainsworth’s study support Bowlby’s attachment theory?

Answer 26

It provided empirical evidence that securely attached children develop a positive internal working model of themselves and others, while insecurely attached children develop negative models.

Question 27

What is the “internal working model” according to Bowlby?

Answer 27

A mental representation of the self and others that influences future relationships and attachment patterns.

Question 28

What does the Strange Situation assess?

Answer 28

It is used to measure attachment types by observing infants’ reactions to separation and reunion with their caregiver.

Question 29

What is a strength of the Strange Situation in terms of predictive validity?

Answer 29

Research shows that securely attached infants tend to have better outcomes in childhood and adulthood, such as better mental health and relationships.

Question 30

What is a limitation of the Strange Situation regarding cultural bias?

Answer 30

It may be culturally biased, as attachment behaviours may differ across cultures. For example, Japanese infants may appear insecure-resistant due to their strong attachment to mothers, not necessarily because of attachment style.

Question 31

What is a limitation of the Strange Situation in terms of ecological validity?

Answer 31

The procedure is conducted in an unfamiliar environment, so the findings may not accurately reflect the attachment behaviours of infants in their natural home environment.

Question 32

How does temperament affect the Strange Situation?

Answer 32

Kagan (1982) argued that temperament, such as anxiety levels, could influence how infants behave in the Strange Situation, which might not be linked to attachment style.

Question 33

What is a potential ethical issue with the Strange Situation?

Answer 33

The procedure may cause distress to the infant, as it involves separating them from their caregiver in an unfamiliar setting, potentially violating the ethical guideline of protection from harm.

Question 34

What did later research by Main and Cassidy (1988) suggest about the Strange Situation?

Answer 34

They identified a fourth attachment type, Type D, characterized by inconsistent, confused, or disoriented behaviour, suggesting the original classification system was incomplete.