Ainsworth 'strange situation'

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

The aim was to observe attachments as a mean of assessing the babys quality of attachment to a caregiver

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

Completed a controlled observation which was designed too measure the security of attachments a baby displays towards their caregiver

Question 3

Exploration and secure base behavior

Behaviours used to judge attachment

Answer 3

Good attachement means a baby will feel confident to explore

Question 3

Stranger anxiety

Behaviours used to judge attachment

Answer 3

one sign of close attraction is the display of of anxiety when a stranger approaches

Question 3

Proximity seeking

Behaviours used to judge attachment

Question 4

Response to reunion

Behaviours used to judge attachment

Answer 4

Babies that have secure attachments with their caregiver will meet their caregiver with pleasure and seek comfort

Question 5

Seperation anxiety

Behaviours used to judge attachment

Answer 5

Attachement is shown by protest when seperated from a caregiver

Question 6

What they did

Stage one and two

Answer 6

They began in a playroom that was unfamilliar to the baby.
The baby was then encouraged to explore the play room- this was to test their expoloration and secure base.

Question 7

What they did

Stage 3 and 4

Answer 7

A stranger then enters the room and begins to have a conversation with the caregiver and then approaches the child- testing stranger anxiety.
The caregiver will then leave leaving the baby with the stranger- testing the stranger and seperation anxiety

Question 8

What they did

Stage 5

Answer 8

The stranger will then leave and the caregiver will return- testing reunion and secure base behavior.

Question 9

Findings

Secure attachment

Answer 9

Secure attachment- these babies will explore happily but often want to go back to their caregiver, they show moderate seperation stress and moderate stranger anxiety, this was around 65-75% of babies in the trials.

Question 10

Findings

Insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 10

Insecure avoidant attachment- Babies explore freely but dont seek proximity or secure base behaviour show Little to no reaction when the parent leaves and no stranger anxiety, may even avoid contact with caregiver when they return

Question 11

Findings

Insecure resistant attachment

Answer 11

Seek greater proximity and explore less. Show high levels of stress when a stranger is in the room or they are seperated, but resist comfort when the parents return.