Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation': Types of attachment

Question 1

What was Ainsworth’s Strange situation?

Answer 1

From observations, surveys and interviews Ainsworth and her colleagues devised an experiment to investigate child attachment. Involves increasingly stressful experiences for the child, and their reactions determine their attachment type

Question 2

What are the participants of ASS?

Answer 2

Infants aged 9-18 months from 100 middle class USA families

Question 3

What was the research room like in ASS?

Answer 3

A novel environment - 9.9 foot space marked off into 16 squares to help in recording the infants movements

Question 4

How is data gathered by observers in ASS?

Answer 4

Using a video recorder or a one way mirror

Question 5

What sampling method did researchers use in ASS?

Answer 5

Time sampling to record what the infant is doing every 15 seconds using the following 5 behavioural categories?

Question 6

What are the 5 behavioural categories measured in ASS?

Answer 6

1. Proximity seeking
2. Reunion behaviour
3. Exploration and secure-base behaviour
4. Separation anxiety
5. Stranger anxiety

Question 7

What is proximity seeking?

Answer 7

The infant’s eagerness to be near the caregiver

Question 8

What is reunion behaviour?

Answer 8

The infant’s reaction to a reunion with the caregiver

Question 9

What is exploration and secure base behaviour?

Answer 9

The infants willingness to explore a novel environment, alone, with a caregiver or a stranger

Question 10

What is separation anxiety?

Answer 10

The infants reaction to separation from the caregiver

Question 11

What is stranger anxiety?

Answer 11

The infants reaction to the presence of a stranger

Question 12

How many episodes were in ASS?

Answer 12

8

Question 13

What happened in episode 1 and how long did it last?

Answer 13

1 min - Researcher introduces caregiver and child to the room that they enter

Question 14

What happened in episode 2, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 14

3 mins - Infant and caregiver are left alone in a room with toys. Child is free to explore the room. Assessed use of caregiver as a secure base

Question 15

What happened in episode 3, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 15

3 mins - Stranger enters, talks to the caregiver and attempts to play with the child. Assessed stranger anxiety

Question 16

What happened in episode 4, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 16

3 mins - Caregiver leaves the child with the stranger. Assessed separation anxiety

Question 17

What happened in episode 5, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 17

3 mins - Caregiver re-enters, greets infant and stranger leaves. Assessed reunion behaviour

Question 18

What happened in episode 6, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 18

3 mins - Caregiver leaves and the child is alone. Assessed separation anxiety

Question 19

What happened in episode 7, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 19

3 mins - Stranger re-enters and attempts to interact with the infant. Assessed stranger anxiety

Question 20

What happened in episode 8, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?

Answer 20

3 mins - Stranger leaves and the caregiver re-enters. Assessed reunion behaviour

Question 21

What are the 3 main attachment types?

Answer 21

Insecure avoidant, Securely attached and insecure resistant

Question 22

What is the typical percentage of people with an insecure avoidant attachment type?

Answer 22

15%

Question 23

What is the typical percentage of people with an insecure resistant attachment type?

Answer 23

15%

Question 24

What is the typical percentage of people with a securely attached attachment type?

Answer 24

70%