3.4: Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation'

Question 1

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks)

Answer 1

The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment

Question 2

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
What is it a series of?

Answer 2

It is a series of 3 minute episodes

Question 3

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
Example

Answer 3

For example:

1. The mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom
2. The child is encouraged to explore
3. A stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child
4. The mother leaves the child and the stranger together
5. The mother returns and the stranger leaves

Question 4

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
What is recorded?

Answer 4

The child’s response in the different stages is recorded

Question 5

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as what?

Answer 5

The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as:

1. Proximity-seeking
2. Stranger anxiety
3. Response to reunion

Question 6

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
What does the analysis of the observation lead to?

Answer 6

Analysis of the observation leads to measuring the infant's type of attachment as either:
1. Insecure-avoidant
2. Securely attached
Or,
3. Insecure-resistant

Question 7

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
What did Ainsworth conclude?

Answer 7

Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness

Question 8

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

First AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 8

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy

Question 9

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
Where has the method been employed?

Answer 9

The method has been employed in studies all over the world

Question 10

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - what?

Answer 10

The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example

Question 11

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, why was the sample biased?

Answer 11

Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric

Question 12

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since what?

Answer 12

Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class

Question 13

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore what?

Answer 13

Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability

Question 14

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, why?

Answer 14

Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants

Question 15

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, what?

Answer 15

Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research

Question 16

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
What does this mean?

Answer 16

This means that the Strange Situation is reliable

Question 17

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

Second AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 17

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment

Question 18

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
Example

Answer 18

For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up

Question 19

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
What does this mean?

Answer 19

This means that temperament may be a confounding variable

Question 20

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so what?

Answer 20

This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation

Question 21

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

Third AO3 PEEL paragraph

Answer 21

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant

Question 22

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant.
What have other psychologists found?

Answer 22

Other psychologists have found that some children do not fall into these 3 attachment types

Question 23

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant.
Other psychologists have found that some children do not fall into these 3 attachment types.
Where does their behaviour fall?

Answer 23

Their behaviour falls into different categories that were not identified by Ainsworth

Question 24

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant.
Other psychologists have found that some children do not fall into these 3 attachment types.
Their behaviour falls into different categories that were not identified by Ainsworth.
Example

Answer 24

For example, disorganised or disinhibited attachment

Question 25

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant.
Other psychologists have found that some children do not fall into these 3 attachment types.
Their behaviour falls into different categories that were not identified by Ainsworth.
For example, disorganised or disinhibited attachment.
Therefore, what?

Answer 25

Therefore, the Strange Situation cannot be generalised to all children

Question 26

Discuss the Strange Situation (16 marks).
The Strange Situation is an observation in a controlled environment.
It is a series of 3 minute episodes.
For example, the mother and the child enter an unfamiliar playroom, the child is encouraged to explore, a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, the mother leaves the child and the stranger together and the mother returns and the stranger leaves.
The child’s response in the different stages is recorded, such as proximity-seeking, stranger anxiety and response to reunion.
The analysis of the observations leads to measuring the infant’s type of attachment as either insecure-avoidant, securely attached or insecure-resistant.
Ainsworth concluded that the type of attachment is related to sensitive responsiveness.

The first AO3 PEEL paragraph is that replication of the controlled conditions in the Strange Situation is easy.
The method has been employed in studies all over the world - Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis used the Strange Situation, for example.
Initially, the sample was biased, because it was ethnocentric, since all 106 infants used were American, white and middle-class and the study therefore lacked population validity and generalisability, as the sample used was not representative of all infants, but, because replication was easy, researchers were able to carry out cross-cultural research.
This means that the Strange Situation is reliable.

The second AO3 PEEL paragraph is that temperament, the genetically influenced personality of the child, is a more important influence on behaviour in the Strange Situation than attachment.
For example, Kagan suggests that some babies are more anxious than others and that some babies are more sociable than others as a result of their genetic make-up.
This means that temperament may be a confounding variable and so challenges the validity of the Strange Situation.

The third AO3 PEEL paragraph is that Ainsworth only developed 3 attachment types – Insecure-avoidant, secure and insecure-resistant.
Other psychologists have found that some children do not fall into these 3 attachment types.
Their behaviour falls into different categories that were not identified by Ainsworth.
For example, disorganised or disinhibited attachment.
Therefore, the Strange Situation cannot be generalised to all children, why?

Answer 26

Therefore, the Strange Situation cannot be generalised to all children, as some children have different attachment types