Ainsworth Strange Situation

Question 1

Method

Answer 1

In 1970 Ainsworth and bell conducted a controlled observation of children’s attachment behavior using the strange situation classification

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

100 middle class American infants and their mothers

Question 3

4 variables via a who way mirror

Answer 3

1) willingness to explore environment
2) separation anxiety- how the child reacts to her mother leaves
3) stranger anxiety- how the child reacts to being alone with a stranger
4) reunion behavior- how the child behaves when the mother returns

Question 4

Procedure (7 episodes each lasts 3 mins)

Answer 4

1) parent enters room with child child explored for 3 mins

2) a stranger enters and joins the parent and infant and tries to interact with the child

3) parent leaves the infant with the stranger

4) parent returns and the stranger leaves. Parent settles the infant

5) parent leaves the child alone

6) stranger returns

7) parent returns and stranger leaves

Question 5

3 findings

Answer 5

1) secure attachment
2) insecure avoidant
3) insecure resistant

Question 6

Secure avoidant

Answer 6

1) willing to explore environment - uses mother as secure base
2) upset/subdued when mother leaves (separation anxiety)
3) avoidant of stranger but friendly when mother is present (stranger anxiety)
4) positive/happy when mother returns (reunion behavior)

Associated with a responsive primary caregiver

Question 7

Insecure avoidant

Answer 7

1) willing to explore environment
2) unconcerned by mothers absence (separation anxiety)
3) unconcerned often avoidant of mother and stranger (stranger anxiety)
4) unresponsive when she returned (reunion behavior)

Associated with an unresponsive primary caregiver

Question 8

Insecure resistant

Answer 8

1) low willing to explore environment
2) intensely distressed when mother left (separation anxiety)
3) extreme fear of stranger (stranger anxiety)
Clinginess mixed with rejection on return (reunion behavior)

Associated with inconsistent primary caregiver

Question 9

AO3

Answer 9

One potential criticism of Ainsworth’s research into attachment types is that it lacks ecological validity. This is because the research takes place in a controlled environment n. Therefore it is difficult to generalize the findings to real life attachment types as the infant may not behave how they usually do in their natural environment. Therefore lowering the external validity of the research into attachment types

Question 10

AO3

Answer 10

Ainsworth strange situation is praised for being high in reliability this is because it was conducted in a controlled setting using standardized procedure for each example each variables was assessed for 3 minute intervals therefore the observation can be repeated again in the same conditions in order to check for consistent results into types of attachment and had been carried out successfully in many different cultures