A - The Strange Situation

Question 1

who did the strange situation

Answer 1

Mary Ainsworth

Question 2

what was the type of observation

Answer 2

non-participant, overt

Question 3

what were the 4 behaviours measured

Answer 3

• stranger anxiety
• separation anxiety
• reunion behaviours
  (proximity behvaiour)

Question 4

what were the 8 stages of the observation

Answer 4

each last 3 minutes
1 - introduction: parents and infant neter room
2 - free play: parent sits while infant plays
3 - stranger enters: enters, talks to parents and approaches infant
4 - first separation: parent leaves room
5 - first reunion: parents returns, stranger leaves
6 - second separation: parent leaves, infant is alone
7 - stranger returns
8 - second reunion: parent returns, stranger leaves

Question 5

what are the 3 attachment styles

Answer 5

type A - insecure avoidant: not distressed in any condition
type B - secure: shows separation and stranger anxiety but easily comforted upon return
type C - insecure resistant: sever stranger and separation anxiety and seeks comfort upon return then rejects it

Question 6

limitations of the strange situation

Answer 6

• lacks mundane realism as they weren’t at home (demand characteristics from mother)
• cultural bias as done in Western culture - imposed etic on Eastern culture
• reductionist - had to add type D: disorganised attachment
• might not be measuring attachment but rather their temperament

Question 7

strengths of the strange situation

Answer 7

• got a Kappa score of +0.94 suggesting she had clear and mutually exclusive categories
• standardised procedure allows it to be replicated