ainsworth's strange situation Flashcards
Who developed the Strange Situation?
Mary Ainsworth and Silvia Bell (1970)
What is the main aim of the Strange Situation?
To observe key attachment behaviours as a means of assessing the quality of a baby’s attachment to a caregiver.
What type of observation is the Strange Situation?
Controlled observation
Where does the Strange Situation take place?
In a room with quite controlled conditions (a laboratory) with a two-way mirror and/or cameras.
What does the Strange Situation measure?
The security of attachment a baby displays towards a caregiver.
What is proximity-seeking?
A baby with good quality attachment will stay fairly close to a caregiver.
What is exploration and secure base behaviour?
Good attachment enables a child to feel confident to explore, using their caregiver as a secure base.
What is stranger anxiety?
One of the signs of becoming closely attached is a display of anxiety when a stranger approaches.
What is separation anxiety?
Another sign of becoming attached is to protest at separation from the caregiver.
What is response to reunion?
Babies who are securely attached greet the caregiver’s return with pleasure and seek comfort.
How many episodes are in the Strange Situation?
Seven episodes
How long does each episode last?
Three minutes
What happens in the first episode of the Strange Situation?
Caregiver and baby enter an unfamiliar playroom.
What is tested when the baby is encouraged to explore?
Exploration and secure base.
What is tested when a stranger enters and talks to the caregiver?
Stranger anxiety.
What is tested when the caregiver leaves the baby and stranger together?
Separation and stranger anxiety.
What is tested when the caregiver returns and the stranger leaves?
Reunion behaviour and exploration/secure base.
What is tested when the caregiver leaves the baby alone?
Separation anxiety.
What is tested when the stranger returns?
Stranger anxiety.
What is tested when the caregiver returns and is reunited with the baby?
Reunion behaviour.
What are the three main types of attachment identified by Ainsworth?
Secure attachment (Type B)
What characterizes secure attachment (Type B)?
Baby explores happily, regularly goes back to caregiver, shows moderate separation and stranger anxiety, easily comforted on reunion.
What percentage of British babies are classified as secure?
About 60–75%
What characterizes insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)?
Baby explores freely but does not seek proximity, little or no reaction when caregiver leaves/returns, little stranger anxiety, does not require comfort at reunion.
