Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation': Types of attachment Flashcards
What was Ainsworth’s Strange situation?
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
What are the participants of ASS?
Infants aged 9-18 months from 100 middle class USA families
What was the research room like in ASS?
A novel environment - 9.9 foot space marked off into 16 squares to help in recording the infants movements
How is data gathered by observers in ASS?
Using a video recorder or a one way mirror
What sampling method did researchers use in ASS?
Time sampling to record what the infant is doing every 15 seconds using the following 5 behavioural categories?
What are the 5 behavioural categories measured in ASS?
- Proximity seeking
- Reunion behaviour
- Exploration and secure-base behaviour
- Separation anxiety
- Stranger anxiety
What is proximity seeking?
The infant’s eagerness to be near the caregiver
What is reunion behaviour?
The infant’s reaction to a reunion with the caregiver
What is exploration and secure base behaviour?
The infants willingness to explore a novel environment, alone, with a caregiver or a stranger
What is separation anxiety?
The infants reaction to separation from the caregiver
What is stranger anxiety?
The infants reaction to the presence of a stranger
How many episodes were in ASS?
8
What happened in episode 1 and how long did it last?
1 min - Researcher introduces caregiver and child to the room that they enter
What happened in episode 2, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
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
What happened in episode 3, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Stranger enters, talks to the caregiver and attempts to play with the child. Assessed stranger anxiety
What happened in episode 4, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Caregiver leaves the child with the stranger. Assessed separation anxiety
What happened in episode 5, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Caregiver re-enters, greets infant and stranger leaves. Assessed reunion behaviour
What happened in episode 6, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Caregiver leaves and the child is alone. Assessed separation anxiety
What happened in episode 7, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Stranger re-enters and attempts to interact with the infant. Assessed stranger anxiety
What happened in episode 8, how long did it last, what behaviour was assessed?
3 mins - Stranger leaves and the caregiver re-enters. Assessed reunion behaviour
What are the 3 main attachment types?
Insecure avoidant, Securely attached and insecure resistant
What is the typical percentage of people with an insecure avoidant attachment type?
15%
What is the typical percentage of people with an insecure resistant attachment type?
15%
What is the typical percentage of people with a securely attached attachment type?
70%
