Ainsworth Strange Situation

Question 1

Secure attachment

Answer 1

Most desirable form of attachment, associated with psychologically healthy outcomes
Infant sees caregiver as a secure base, moderate stranger and separation anxiety, joy on reunion

Question 2

Insecure avoidant

Answer 2

Attachment type characterised by low anxiety and weak attachment
Low stranger and seperation anxiety, little response on reunion
Results from caregivers lack of sensitive responsiveness to infants needs

Question 3

Insecure resistant

Answer 3

Attachment characterised by high anxiety and strong attachment
High levels of stranger and separation anxiety and alternating between seeking closeness and warning distance at contact
This results from the caregivers ambivalence ( inconsistency) to infants needs

Question 4

Procedure of Ainsworth’s study

Answer 4

• took place in a purpose built lab playroom, controlled observation
• consisted of 8 episodes each of which lasted 3 mins including mother and baby entering room, stranger entering the room, mother leaving and returning. Sample was American infants between 12 & 18 months

Question 5

Findings of ainsworth study

Answer 5

Secure - 70%
Insecure avoidant - 20%
Insecure resistant- 10%