Ainsworth’s Strange Situation

Question 1

What is the ‘Strange Situation’?

Answer 1

A controlled observation to test attachment type devised by Ainsworth. Infants are assessed on their willingness to explore and reactions to being left alone left with a stranger and renewing with a caregiver. The babies are assigned as type, a, B or C. Secure, insecure, resistant, or insecure, avoidant.

Question 2

Define the term ‘Reunion Behaviour’

Answer 2

The actions of an infant once their caregiver into the room.

Question 3

What does it mean to have a ‘secure attachment’?

Answer 3

Moderate, separation, distress, moderate, separation, anxiety, joy at reunion, explore freely, uses mother as a secure base, positive long-term outcomes.

Question 4

What does it mean to have a ‘insecure-avoidant attachment’?

Answer 4

Low separation, distress, low, strange anxiety, little response to reunion, avoidance of the caregiver, explore freely, but doesn’t use mother as a secure place, negative long-term outcomes

Question 5

What does it mean to have an ‘insecure-resistant attachment’?

Answer 5

High levels of separation, distress, high levels of stranger, anxiety, not easily, comforted, and resist, comfort at reunion, doesn’t explore much, clingy and cries a lot, negative long-term outcomes