Ainsworth Strange Situation

Question 1

Ainsworth sample

Answer 1

Controlled observation using 100 middle class american infants and their mothers.
During the observations via a two way mirror:
-willingness to explore environment
-separation anxiety
-stranger anxiety
-reunion behaviour

Question 2

Ainsworth procedure

Answer 2

7 episodes, each lasted 3 mins
-parent enters room with child, child explores for 3 mins
-a stranger enters and joins the parent and infant and tries to interact with child
-parent leaves infant with stranger
-parent returns snd stranger leaves

Question 3

Ainsworth findings

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Ainsworth findings for secure attatchment

Answer 4

Secure attachment - willing to explore and uses mother as secure base
- upset/subdued when mother leaves
-avoidant of stranger but friendly when mother present
-positive/happy when mother returns

Question 5

Ainsworth findings for this insecure avoidant

Answer 5

-Willing to explore enviroment
-unconcerned when mother leaves
-unconcerned of mother and stranger
-unresponsive when she returns

Question 6

Insecure resistant findings

Answer 6

-low willingness to explore
-intensely distressed when mother left
-extreme fear of stranger
-clinginess mixed with rejection on return

Question 7

Ainsworth strange situation strength

Answer 7

High in reliability because it was conducted in a controlled setting (room with two way mirror) using standardised procedure (3 min intervals) meaning it can be repeated in the same conditions for consistent results.

Question 8

Criticism for Ainsworth strange situation

Answer 8

Lacks ecological validity- controlled environment so may not be appropriate to generalise the findings to real life attachment types.