4 Flashcards
Who proposed the Strange Situation?
Ainsworth (1970s)
Define the Strange Situation
Controlled observation designed to test the quality of an infant’s attachment to their caregiver
Who was Ainsworth a student of?
Bowlby
What 4 behaviours were assessed during the Strange Situation?
- Exploration + secure base behaviour (good attachment: infants explore, using caregiver as a secure base)
- Stranger anxiety (good attachment: anxiety towards strangers)
- Separation anxiety (good attachment: anxiety when separated from caregiver)
- Response to reunion (good attachment: caregiver’s return greeted with pleasure, infant seeks their comfort)
What type of observation is the Strange Situation?
- Controlled, overt observation (though 2 way mirror)
How many episodes in the Strange Situation
Beginning + 7 others
How long did each Strange Situation episode last?
Approx 3 mins
Outline the episodes in the Strange Situation + what behaviour was being observed during each episode
Beginning) Caregiver + infant enter unfamiliar playroom
1) Infant encouraged to explore (exploration/secure base)
2) Stranger enters, talks to caregiver, approaches infant (stranger anx)
3) Caregiver leaves. Infant + stranger left together (separation + stranger anx)
4) Caregiver returns. Stranger leaves (reunion + exploration/secure base)
5) Caregiver leaves infant alone (separation anx)
6) Stranger returns (stranger anx)
7) Caregiver returns (reunion)
What were the findings of the original Strange Situation?
3 main behaviour patterns emerged, so 3 main attachment types were concluded
What are the 3 main attachment types found in the Strange Situation?
Type A : Insecure-avoidant attachment
Type B : Secure attachment
Type C : Insecure-resistant attachment
What is Type A (insecure-avoidant)?
Low anxiety, weak attachment
- Infants explore, without returning to safe base
- Little separation or stranger anxiety
- Little pleasure or avoidance of reunion with caregiver
What is Type B (secure attachment)?
Good attachment, most desirable
- Infants explore, regularly returning to safe base
- Moderate separation and stranger anxiety
- Positive response to reunion, seeking comfort
What is Type C (insecure-resistant)?
High anxiety, very strong attachment
- Infants explore less, seeking proximity
- High separation and stranger anxiety
- Resist comfort during reunion
What percentage of British infants are insecure-avoidant (A)?
20-25 %
What percentage of British infants are secure (B)?
60-75 %