Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Question 1

what was the aim of Ainsworth’s strange situation (1964)?

Answer 1

to assess quality of a child’s attachment to caregiver

Question 2

what was the procedure of the Strange Situation?

Answer 2

controlled observation of key behaviours (e.g. stranger anxiety) during seven episodes (e.g. caregiver leaves child with stranger)
room w/controlled conditions (e.g. lab)- two-way mirror for psychologists to observe infant’s behaviour

Question 3

what were the behaviours used to judge attachment?

Answer 3

proximity seeking
exploration and secure-base behaviour
stranger anxiety
separation anxiety
response to reunion

Question 4

what were the episodes?

Answer 4

child and CG enter unfamiliar playroom
1- explore (expl and s-b)

2- S enters, tries interact (strang anx)

3- CG leaves C and S together (sep and strang anx)

4- CG returns and S leaves (reunion, expl/s-b)

5- CG leaves (sep anx)

6- S returns (strang anx)

7- CG returns, reuinited (reuinion)

Question 5

what were Ainsworth’s findings?

Answer 5

distinct patterns in infants’ behaviour

identified 3 attachment types- secure, insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant

Question 6

secure attachment

Answer 6

explore happily but regularly go back to caregiver (moderate prox seeking and s-b)

moderate separation and stranger anxiety

require and accept comfort from caregiver at reunion

60-75% British toddlers

Question 7

insecure-avoidant attachment

Answer 7

explore freely, low proximity seeking/s-b

low separation and stranger anxiety

little attempt for reunion, don’t require comfort

20-25%

Question 8

insecure-resistant attachment

Answer 8

seek greater proximity, explore less

huge stranger and separation anxiety

resist comfort when reunited with CG (sometimes anger)

3%