Ainsworth's Theory of Attachment (Types of Attachment) Flashcards
What was Ainsworth’s procedure?
She investigated the quality of attachment using a procedure called ‘the strange situation’.
It was an observation of children’s behaviour in response to when their mother leaves the room, a stranger comes in and the mother returns.
Ainsworth had identified 3 types of attachment.
What are the 3 types of attachment?
Secure.
Insecure avoidant.
Insecure resistant.
What is secure attachment?
They are happy to explore and they return to their mother at regular intervals.
They have moderate seperation anxiety.
They have moderate stranger anxiety.
They are pleased to see their mother on return and they are easily comforted by them.
What is insecure avoidant attachment?
They are keen to explore but they don’t return to their mother.
They have low seperation anxiety.
They have low stranger anxiety.
There is no joy on their mother’s return and they often ignore her.
What is insecure resistant attachment?
They are unwilling to explore and they are clingy towards their mother.
They have high seperation anxiety.
They have high stranger anxiety.
They reject the attempts at their mother’s comfort at reunion.
What did she suggests about caregiver’s behaviour?
She suggested that the quality and type of attachment depended on the parenting the baby received.
Secure= reacts quickly and positively to the child’s needs (very responsive).
Insecure avoidant= unresponsive, dismissive and uncaring towards the child.
Insecure resistant= responds to the child’s needs inconsistently.
