Ainsworth AO3 Research Into Attatchment types

Question 1

Ainsworth AO3 weakness

Answer 1

Lacks ecological validity
Research takes place in a controlled environment

May be difficult to generalise findings to real attatchment types

As infants may not behave how they usually do in natural environment

Eg they may explore the room less as they may be scared of the stanger as they are in an unfamiliar environment

Lowering external validity of research into types of attachments

Question 2

Ainsworth AO3 weakness

Answer 2

Culture bias

Strange situation tool used to measure attatchment criticised from imposed etic

It’s based on American child rearing practices and ignores other cultures

Eg in Germany it’s common practice for independence to be encouraged by infants ,these infants may show insecure avoidant attatchment type

Thus strange situation may not be suitable to measure attachments in other cultures

Question 3

Ainsworth AO3 strength

Answer 3

High reliability

Conducted in a controlled setting (room with two-way mirror)

Eg each variable was assessed for 3 min intervals

Thus observation can be repeated again in the same conditions

In order to check consistent results

Increasing internal validity