Ainsworth Strange Situation

Question 1

What type of observation did ainsworth use in a strange situation

Answer 1

Controlled
Overt
Non Participate

Question 2

What was the sample of children in Ainsworths strange situation

Answer 2

100 middle class American Infants aged 12-18 months

Question 3

What was the experimental setting of Ainsworths strange situation

Answer 3

Laboratory setting as a play room with a two way mirror — used to observe the infants behavior

Question 4

How long did each section of Ainsworths strange situation take

Answer 4

3 minutes to complete each stage

Question 5

How many stages were there in Ainsworths strange situation

Answer 5

7

Question 6

What are the seven stages of Ainsworths strange situation

Answer 6

1. Mother and child enter room
2. Stranger enters and talks to mother, gradually approaches infant
3. Mother leaves leaving stranger interacting with the child
4. Mother returns to greet and comfort child, stranger leaves
5. Parent leaves, child on its own (no stranger either)
6. Stranger returns and tries to interact
7. Mother returns, stranger leaves inconspicuously

Question 7

What behaviors did the observers record

Answer 7

Proximity seeking
Using the mother as a safe base
Willingness to explore
Clinginess
Separation anxiety
Stranger anxiety
Reunion behavior

Question 8

What were the findings of Ainsworths strange situation

Answer 8

Securely attached (66%)
Avoidant resistant (22%)
Resistant insecure (12%)

Question 9

What did Ainsworths conclude

Answer 9

Infants showing different reactions to their carers have different types of attachment. There’s a direct link between the mothers Behaviour and the infants behavior