Ainsworth's SSS: Types of A

Question 1

Describe the procedure of Ainsworth’s SSS.

Answer 1

• controlled observation w/ standardized procedures ~20 min

- consist of 8 episodes - various combination CG and stranger to provoke A behaviours

Question 2

What are 4 examples of episodes the infant’s response was recorded to?

Answer 2

1. Separation from CG - separation anxiety?
2. Reunion w/ CG - reunion behaviour?
3. Response to stranger - stranger anxiety?
4. Environment - using CG as safe base to explore?

Question 3

How was the data collected in the SSS?

Answer 3

Group of observers using video recorder/ one way mirror - recorded movements every 15 seconds using behavioural categories
- each scored for intensity on a scale of 1 to 7 w/ detailed criteria

Question 4

What were the 5 behaviour categories used by the observers in the SSS?

Answer 4

1. Proximity and contact seeking behaviours
2. Contact maintaining behaviours
3. Proximity + interaction avoiding behaviour
4. Contact + interaction resisting behaviour
5. Search behaviours

Question 5

What type of infant…

• explored unfamiliar environment, but returned to mother at regular intervals
• moved closer to the mother when a stranger appeared and be wary of them
• stopped exploring the room when their mother left and were subdued when mother left
• enthusiastic on reunion and easily comforted by mum

Answer 5

Securely A infants (TB)

Question 6

What type of infant …

• not orientate towards mother when exploring room
• were unconcerned about a stranger and showed little preference, often avoided both
• seemed unconcerned when mother left
• little reaction when mum returned

Answer 6

Infant with Insecure-Avoidant A (TA)

Question 7

What type of infant …

• cries more and explores less
• avoids and fears stranger
• shows intense distress upon separation
• is ambivalent towards CG

Answer 7

Infant with insecure-Resistant A (TC)

Question 8

What has subsequent research by Main + Solomon found about Ainsworth et al’s analysis suggesting the original study being incomplete?

Answer 8

• M+S analysed over 200 SS video tapes + proposed insecure Disorganised (TD)
• Van ijzendoorn et al meta analysis of nearly 80 studies in US = 15% displayed TD behaviours

Question 9

What are the characteristics of TD A?

Answer 9

Insecure Disorganised A
-lacks coherent strategy for dealing w/ stress+ separation
EG: V strong A behaviour followed by avoidance/ fearful towards CG - no consistent type, ambivalent behaviour

Question 10

Why are the results deemed meaningful and reliable in Ainsworth et al’s study?

Answer 10

Observational study had high inter-observer reliability - determined by comparing ratings made by panel of experienced judges
-Almost perfect agreement 0.94 when rating exploratory behaviour between raters

Question 11

What did Main and Weston suggest the SSS was actually measuring instead of measuring the A type of a child? (low Internal validity)

Answer 11

Q of relationship between two people

• some infants behaved differently depending on which parent they were with
• possible A type not be Q of infant but Q or relationship between two people
• Q’s the V of SS classification

Question 12

What does internal validity mean?

Answer 12

The extent to which we are measuring what we intended to measure

Question 13

Why might the SSS be bias towards Western cultures and how does this weaken the study?

Answer 13

• Study developed in the US
• Not applicable to other parts of world
• A behaviours healthy = maybe not healthy elsewhere
• Thus use of SS may be limited in its meaning