3.4: Mary Ainsworth et al. (1978)

Question 1

Explain why the Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment (4 marks)

Answer 1

The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure

Question 2

Explain why the Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment (4 marks).
The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure, such as what?

Answer 2

The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure, such as being left with strangers

Question 3

Explain why the Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment (4 marks).
The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure, such as being left with strangers.
What could this lead to?

Answer 3

This could lead to a possibility of such infants being wrongly classified as insecurely attached when in fact they are not

Question 4

Explain why the Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment (4 marks).
The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure, such as being left with strangers.
This could lead to a possibility of such infants being wrongly classified as insecurely attached when in fact they are not.
What might such flawed evidence even be wrongly used to then do?

Answer 4

Such flawed evidence might even be wrongly used to then justify infants being taken from their parents and put into care

Question 5

Explain why the Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment (4 marks).
The Strange Situation testing procedure may not be suitable for studying cultural variations in attachment because infants in some cultures might be unfamiliar with some of the elements of the Strange Situation procedure, such as being left with strangers.
This could lead to a possibility of such infants being wrongly classified as insecurely attached when in fact they are not.
Such flawed evidence might even be wrongly used to then justify infants being taken from their parents and put into care, as happened with who?

Answer 5

Such flawed evidence might even be wrongly used to then justify infants being taken from their parents and put into care, as happened with Australian Aboriginal children

Question 6

A researcher used the Strange Situation to investigate the attachment types of two infants. Megan was classified as insecure-avoidant. Rosie was classified as insecure-resistant.
Explain how Megan’s behaviour would differ from Rosie’s behaviour in the Strange Situation (4 marks)

Answer 6

Separation behaviour – insecure avoidant (Megan) would seem unconcerned when mother leaves, whereas insecure resistant (Rosie) would show intense distress

Question 7

A researcher used the Strange Situation to investigate the attachment types of two infants. Megan was classified as insecure-avoidant. Rosie was classified as insecure-resistant.
Explain how Megan’s behaviour would differ from Rosie’s behaviour in the Strange Situation (4 marks).
Separation behaviour – insecure avoidant (Megan) would seem unconcerned when mother leaves, whereas insecure resistant (Rosie) would show intense distress.

Answer 7

Reunion behaviour – insecure avoidant (Megan) would show little reaction when the mother comes back, whereas insecure resistant (Rosie) may cling to their mother, but show ambivalent behaviour towards her