Ainsworth's strange situation

Question 1

Aim of Ainsworth’s study

Answer 1

To see how infants aged between 9-18 months under conditions of stress and novelty

Question 2

Procedure of Ainsworth’s study(A01)

Answer 2

Observed exploration behaviour, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety and exploration

1. Mother enters with infant/infant explores
2. Stranger enters/talks with mother
3. Stranger tries to interact with the infant
4. Mother leaves the room/stranger comforts the baby if they are upset and plays with them
5. Mother returns/stranger leaves
6. Mother leaves/baby is alone
7. Stranger enters again/plays with the baby
8. Mother enters again/stranger leaves

Question 3

Findings of Ainsworth’s study(A01)

Answer 3

3 main types of attachment
Secure attachment - Child is confident that mother will meet their needs
Uses mother as attachment figure as a secure base
Insecure avoidant attachment - Independent of attachment figure
Insecure resistant attachment - Child is clingy/dependent but will reject interactions(confused baby)

Question 4

Features of secure attachment type(A01)

Answer 4

Moderate separation anxiety
Moderate stranger anxiety
Shows reunion behaviour
Moderate exploration behaviour(uses mother as secure base regularly)

Question 5

Features of Insecure resistant type(A01)

Answer 5

High separation anxiety
Hot and Cold towards stranger(moderate stranger anxiety)
Not easily comforted upon reunion
Low exploration - Child explores less/cries more

Question 6

Features of insecure avoidant type

Answer 6

Low separation anxiety
Low stranger anxiety
No reunion behaviour
High exploration behaviour/does not use the mother as a secure base

Question 7

What might have been a confounding variable in Ainsworth’s strange situation(A03)

Answer 7

Temperament(Kagan) may influence behaviour
Ainsworth ignored temperament and focused on the 4 things she assessed
Lowers internal validity

Question 8

What evidence is there that discredits Ainsworth’s conclusion(A03)

Answer 8

Main and Solomon identified a 4th type - Insecure disorganised
Found after analysing 200 strange situation types
Lowers internal validity/credibility

Question 9

What methodological issues are there in Ainsworth’s procedure(A03)

Answer 9

Parent’s knew they were being observed through a one way mirror
Leads to demand characteristics/social desirability
Lowers internal validity

Question 10

Issues and debates for Ainsworth’s strange situation(A03)

Answer 10

Culturally biased
Ainsworth used a measure created after analysing 106 American babies
Strange situation may classify babies in the wrong way due to differing cultures
Can’t be generalised
Decreases population validity