Ainsworth's strange situation

Question 1

Who was Mary Ainsworth?

Answer 1

a student of Bowlby’s

Question 2

what type of study was Ainsworth’s strange situation

Answer 2

observation

Question 3

who were the participants and what was the environment in Ainsworth’s strange situation?

Answer 3

• infants 9-18 months from 100 USA families
• novel environment
• video recorded every 15s

Question 4

how was data collected in Ainsworth’s strange situation ?

Answer 4

P-proximity seeking
R-reunion behaviour
E-exploration/secure-base behaviour
S-separation anxiety
S-stranger anxiety

Question 5

what was the procedure in Ainsworth’s strange situation

Answer 5

8 episodes
1min introduction to room
3min safe base
3min stranger enter to play
3min caregiver leave
3min caregiver reunion and stranger leave
3min caregiver leaves
3min stranger calms child
3min stranger leaves caregiver returns

Question 6

what were the findings of insecure AVOIDANT in ainsworth’s strange situation?

Answer 6

15%
p- not caring
r- unresponsive
e-freely explores
s-unconcerned
s- avoids stranger

Question 7

what were the findings of securely attached in ainsworth’s strange situation?

Answer 7

70%
p-shows toys
r-calms rapidly
e-plays
s-distress
s- friendly when caregiver present but avoidant

Question 8

what were the findings of insecure RESISTANT in ainsworth’s strange situation?

Answer 8

15%
p-won't explore
r-clingy but resistant= push and pull
e-limited
s- very distressed
s- resistant

Question 9

3 strengths of ainsworths strange situation

Answer 9

+standard procedures (list them)= consistency

+predictive validity
love quiz by HAZAN AND SHAVERS adult relations

+high internal validity - establish cause and effect

Question 10

3 weaknesses of ainsworths strange situation

Answer 10

-low ecological validity

-ethics-psychological harm=distress
90% of TAKAHASI’S study had to be stopped

-Imposed etic = developed under 1 culture