Ainsworth's Strange Situation Flashcards
1
Q
Strange Situation (1978)
A
- SS comprised of 8 episodes; each were 3mins except ep1 which was 30s.Every aspects of p’s were recorded and every 15s, category of behaviour was scored on intensity of 1 to 7. 106 infants involved.
- 15% insecure avoidant, 15% insecure resistant, 70% securely attached
2
Q
Evaluation of Strange Situation
A
+ Easy to replicate as only 8 episodes involving mother, child and stranger.
- Unethical as it deliberately stresses infants for their reactions, however no more than everyday experience so can be justifiable
- Artificial and lab based. Lacks ecological validity.
- Main found kids acted differently with different parents. Suggests different attachments to different parents and behaviour isn’t innate.
3
Q
Type A: Insecure Avoidant
A
- Willing to explore
- Unconcerned at separation and reunion
- Strongly avoidant with mother and carer
- Low stranger anxiety
- Happens because mother ignores infant needs
4
Q
Type B: Securely Attached
A
- Enthusiastic at reunion
- Caregiver sensitive to infant needs
- High SA but easy to calm down
- Keen to explore
5
Q
Type C: Insecure Resistant
A
- Unwilling to explore
- Stranger cannot comfort infant
- High SA, upset at separation
- Caregivers behaviour is inconsistent
- Seeks and rejects comfort of mother simultaneously
6
Q
Van Ljzendoorn’s Cultural Variations (1988)
A
- Meta analysis of 32 studies from 8 countries using SS. Found secure attachments were most common (67% overall). Lowest% of type B in China, highest in GB.
7
Q
Evaluation of Cultural Variations
A
- Only 36 p’s in China for a very populated country. Not representative.
- No African/ South American samples
- Most analysed from western cultures
- Created in USA, uses their norms. Culturally biased. Ethnocentric
- Differences may be due to economic differences e.g. some samples used middle class, some used poorer background and some countries have better economic situations than other countries
