Ainsworth's strange situation: Types of attachment Flashcards
What is the strange situation?
A test of attachment types
What type of study was the strange situation?
Observation
What type of observation was the strange situation?
Controlled + overt
Where was the strange situation conducted?
A novel room containing toys
How many episodes were there in Ainsworth’s strange situation?
8
What were the 4 observed behaviours in the strange situation?
Reunion behaviour, safe base behaviour, separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
How many observers were there for the strange situation?
Multiple
What are the 3 attachment types?
Secure, insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant
What is the safe base behaviour like in securely attached infants?
High willingness to explore
What is the stranger anxiety like in securely attached infants?
Moderate
What is the separation anxiety like in securely attached infants?
Moderate
What is the reunion behaviour like in securely attached infants?
Joy on reunion
According to Ainsworth’s strange situation, how many infants were securely attached?
66%
What is the safe base behaviour like in insecure avoidant infants?
High willingness to explore
What is the stranger anxiety like in insecure avoidant infants?
Low
What is the separation anxiety like in insecure avoidant infants?
They are indifferent
What is the reunion behaviour like in insecure avoidant infants?
They avoid contact
According to Ainsworth’s strange situation, how many infants were insecure-avoidant?
22%
What is the safe base behaviour like in insecure resistant infants?
Low willingness to explore
What is the stranger anxiety like in insecure resistant infants?
Extreme
What is the separation anxiety like in insecure resistant infants?
Extreme
What is the reunion behaviour like in insecure resistant infants?
Seek + reject
According to Ainsworth’s strange situation, how many infants were insecure-resistant?
12%
What are the 4 AO3 points of the strange situation?
1) More than 3 types of attachment
2) Methodological strengths
3) Methodological criticisms
4) Lacks cross-cultural validity
What is the 4th type of attachment?
Insecure-disorganised
Give an example of insecure-disorganised behaviour?
Showing very strong attachment behaviour, followed by avoidance or fear
What is insecure-disorganised attachment characterised by?
Inconsistent social behaviour patterns
Why do infants develop an insecure-disorganised attachment type?
They don’t have a consistent attachment, and so lack a coherent strategy for dealing with the stress of separation
What is the interobserver reliability of the strange situation?
0.94
What bias did the strange situation not suffer from?
Observer bias
Why does the strange situation have high interobserver reliability?
It has highly standardised behavioural categories
Give 2 examples of extraneous variables controlled for in the strange situation.
The stranger used and the length of episodes were controlled
What validity does the strange situation lack?
Internal validity
What may have Ainsworth measured rather than attachment type?
The quality of relationship
Why is it an issue that Ainsworth only tested mother-infant relationships?
The infant may not have had a primary attachment bond with their mother
What country was the strange situation conducted in?
America
What type of culture is America?
Individualist + Western
Why can’t the strange situation be applied to Israel?
The group needs are emphasised - infants are typically looked after by metapelets at a Kibbutz - can often lead to the metapelet being their main caregiver
