Ainsworth's strange situation

Question 1

What was the sample and standardisations of the strange situation

Answer 1

Controlled observation technique
Lab study
100 middle class American infants

Question 2

What behaviours were measured in the infants

Answer 2

use of a parent as a secure base
Stranger anxiety
Separation anxiety
Reunion behaviour

Question 3

Types of attachment

Answer 3

Type A, B, C

Question 4

What is type A attachment

Answer 4

Insecure-avoidant

Question 5

What is type B attachment

Answer 5

Secure attachment

Question 6

What is type C attachment

Answer 6

Insecure-resistant

Question 7

Insecure avoidant characteristics

Answer 7

High willingness to explore, ignoring mother
Not bothered by stranger
Not bothered when mother leaves
Ignores mother on return

Question 8

Secure characteristics

Answer 8

Happy to explore using mother as secure base
Wariness to strangers
Upset by separation
Happy at return

Question 9

Insecure resistant characterisics

Answer 9

Won’t leave mothers side
May hide from strangers, high anxiety
Distressed on separation (crying and follows)
Conflicted on return (seeks then rejects)

Question 10

Procedure

Answer 10

1. Mother is passive whilst the infant explores
2. Stranger enters and converses with mother then approaches infant as mother leaves room
   3.Stranger leaves and mother greet infant and engages baby in play and then leaves
   4.Stranger plays with infant

Question 11

Conclusion

Answer 11

Sensitive care leads to securely attached infants. PCG responds to social releasers
PCG who don’t respond to children’s needs leads to insecure avoidant infants.
PCG who engage on their own terms lead to insecure resistant children