Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Question 1

Methodology

Answer 1

• Controlled observation
• Designed to measure security of attachment
• Laboratory experiment
• 100 American, Middle-class, mothers and infants
• Series of controlled observations in a controlled order

Question 2

Ainsworth’s stages

Answer 2

1. Secure Base - playing in room with mother
2. Stranger Anxiety - stranger enters and sits
3. Stranger Anxiety - stranger tries to play
4. Separation Anxiety - mother leaves, stranger stays
5. Secure Base - mother returns, stranger gone
6. Separation Anxiety - mother leaves baby alone
7. Stranger Anxiety - streanger enters
8. Secure Base - mother returns

Question 3

Attachment Types

Answer 3

• Type A => Insecure Avoidant (22%)
• Type B => Secure Attachment (65%)
• Type C => Insecure Resistant (13%)

Question 4

Insecure Avoidant Attachment

Answer 4

• Proximity Seeking: Low
• Exploration & SBB: High
• Separation Anxiety: Low
• Stranger Anxiety: Low
• Reunion Behaviour: Not Needed

Question 5

Secure Attachment

Answer 5

• Proximity Seeking: Mid
• Exploration & SBB: Mid
• Separation Anxiety: Mid
• Stranger Anxiety: Mid
• Reunion Behaviour: Accept

Question 6

Insecure Resistant

Answer 6

• Proximity Seeking: High
• Exploration & SBB: Low
• Separation Anxiety: High
• Stranger Anxiety: High
• Reunion Behaviour: Reject