Ainsworth's strange situation Flashcards

1
Q

What was the aim of the strange situation?

A

To measure the attachment type of a child

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What was the procedure of the strange situation

A

• observation study of middle-class infants
• categorised the observed behaviour e.g seeking proximity/contact
• explores:
- separation anxiety
- reunion behaviour (how easily infant is comforted)
- response to strangers
- whether the infant explores (secure base concept)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What were the findings of the strange situation?

A

ainsworth found 3 main patterns of behaviour to suggest 3 different attachment types
• secure attachment (co-operate interaction with others, some distress with strangers, can explore when using the caregiver as a secure base)
• insecure avoidant (avoids social interaction with others, little response to separation, happy to explore with or without caregiver)
• insecure resistant (seeks and resists proximity and interaction, high distress during separation, not easily soothed but does want proximity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Positives of the strange situation

A
  • high inter-observer reliability = observation have high reliability
  • circle of security project (cooper et al) research on attachment types can be used when responding to children’s behaviour to improving their lives
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Criticisms of the strange situation

A
  • Main and Solomon discovered a fourth attachment type which suggests Ainsworth’s is too simplistic, ignores other attachment types
  • only studies middle class, cannot generalise
  • only uses mother as primary caregiver, ignores other attachments with others (e.g dad)
  • Low internal validity - because it only looks at the mother, we are unsure if this study shows attachment types or if it shows the quality of one relationship
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly