Ainsworth's strange situation: types of attachment

Question 1

Outline the procedures of Ainsworth’s strange situation (observation).

Answer 1

1 year old, mother and stranger in room (controlled lab). Mother and stranger alternatively leave and return to create 8 situations to investigate: separation anxiety, reunion behaviour, stranger anxiety, secure-base behaviour.

Question 2

What three main patterns of behaviour did Ainsworth identify?

Answer 2

Secure (B)
Insecure-avoidant (A)
insecure-resistant (C)

Question 3

How do securely attached (B) infants behave?

Answer 3

Harmonious and cooperate interactions. Moderately low separation anxiety, moderately high stranger anxiety. Joy in reunion and secure-base behaviour displayed.

Question 4

How do insecure-avoidant (A) infants behave?

Answer 4

Avoid all social interaction with high levels of anxiousness. Indifferent separation anxiety, low stranger anxiety. No joy in reunion or secure-base behaviour displayed.

Question 5

How do insecure-resistant (C) infants behave?

Answer 5

Seek and resist social interaction. High separation and stranger anxiety. Unpredictable reunion behaviour and secure-base behaviour.

Question 6

(AO3) Which attachment type did Ainsworth overlook?

Answer 6

Insecure-disorganised (D). Main and Solomon meta-analysis of 200 SS videotapes. Lack of consistent behaviour & attachment type (e.g. strong attachment followed by avoidance). Therefore oversimplified.

Question 7

(AO3) Were Ainsworth’s findings reliable?

Answer 7

Yes, highly reliable. Inter-observer reliability score of 0.94. Near to perfect (0.81 threshold). Identifying behaviour and attachment type very consistent - should be same if repeated with same procedure.

Question 8

(AO3) Why are the findings of the strange situation biased?

Answer 8

Biased sample. Only white western middle-class infants. May not apply to other cultures - especially collectivist. Multiple attachments appear to be insecure-resistant as they suppress emotion (praised in Japan). Do not develop abnormally and explains Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg’s findings: method is biased culturally.

Question 9

(AO3) What is the real world application of the strange situation and its findings?

Answer 9

Measuring the quality of an infant’s primary attachment allows for intervention strategies when insecure-. Teaches caregivers to understand signals better, to be more sensitive and understand anxiety. Research shows reduction in disordered attachments using this method. Strength - improve lives.