Ainsworth strange situation

Question 1

what were the aims of the procedure?

Answer 1

to test infants aged 9-18 months and the behavioural response to conditions of mild stress

Question 2

what was the procedure of the experiment?

Answer 2

Parent/infant play
parent sits while infant plays - parent as secure base
stranger enters and talks to parent - stranger anxiety
parent leaves, infant stays, stranger offers comfort if needed -separation anxiety
parent returns, greets infant, offers comfort if needed, stranger leaves - reunion behaviour
parent leaves, infant alone - separation anxiety
stranger enters offers comfort - stranger anxiety
parent returns, greets infant, offers comfort - reunion behaviour
They record the behaviour of the infant every 15 seconds using behavioural categories i.e proximity and contact seeking behaviours/ search behaviours. Each item is scored for intensity on a scale of 1-7

Question 3

what were the findings of the experiment?

Answer 3

70% secure attachment
15% insecure resistant/ambivalent
15% insecure avoidant

Question 4

what is secure attachment

Answer 4

Type B - those who have a harmonious and cooperative interaction with their caregivers.
- unlikely to cry if the caregiver leaves
- they seek and are comfortable with social interaction and intimacy
- when anxious they seek close bodily contact with caregiver and are easily soothed

Question 5

what is insecure resistant?

Answer 5

Type C
- both seeks and resists intimacy and social interaction
- respond to separation from their caregiver with immediate and intense distress and behave similarly towards strangers
- on reunion they display conflicting desires for/against contact

Question 6

what is insecure avoidant/ambivalent?

Answer 6

characterised by children who tend to avoid social interaction and intimacy with others
they showed little response to separation and do not seek proximity among reunion with caregivers