Ainsworth's strange situation

Question 1

outline Ainsworth’s strange situation study

Answer 1

m: 100 US caregiver-infant pairs observed through one-way mirror to measure: separation and stranger anxiety; reunion behaviour; willingness to explore room
r: found 3 attachment types: secure (70%), insecure resistant (15%), insecure avoidant (15%)
c: led to conceptualisation of caregiver sensitivity hypothesis

Question 2

define secure attachment

Answer 2

happy when mother returns, avoidant of strangers

Question 3

define insecure resistant attachment

Answer 3

avoids stranger and distressed when mother returns

Question 4

define insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 4

little interest/ distinction between mother and stranger

Question 5

define caregiver sensitivity hypothesis

Answer 5

mothers behaviour towards infant predicting attachment type

Question 6

evaluate Ainsworth’s strange situation

Answer 6

A: replicability: highly operationalised and observers have clear view of how securely attached infant should behave due to criteria used- therefore, research should have high interobeserver reliability
A: classification reliability (Walter):
-> m: 50 infants at 12 and 18 months using strange situation
-> r: found clear evidence for stable individual differences using criteria- 48/50 infants observed at 12 months remained the same attachment classification at 18 months
C: unethical: can be distressing for baby with mother constantly leaving and returning