Ainsworth strange situation

Question 1

what are the three attachments she found?

Answer 1

secure, insecure-resistant and insecure-avoidant

Question 2

what was her continuity hypothesis?

Answer 2

difference in infants attachment styles are dependent on the mother’s behaviour during the critical period

Question 3

Ainsworth aim

Answer 3

investigate the difference in attachment

Question 4

Ainsworth procedure - 5 points

Answer 4

• lab procedure = structural observations
• infants aged from 12-18 months
• infants were observed through a video camera in a built lab playroom
• room had a play area and two chairs
• there were 8 situations, each three minutes

Question 5

what are the features of a secure attachment?

Answer 5

• show distress
• avoidant of strangers
• joy on reunion

Question 6

what are the features of insecure-resistant?

Answer 6

• intense distress
• significant fear of strangers
• approach mother, but reject contact after separation

Question 7

what are the features of insecure-avoidant

Answer 7

• happily play with strangers
• ignore mother after separation
• no interest/no exploration when separated from mother

Question 8

what were observations based off? 5

Answer 8

• proximity
• stranger anxiety
• separation anxiety
• secure base/exploration
• pleasure on reunion

Question 9

what percentage of infants were securely attached?

Answer 9

70%

Question 10

what percentage of infants were insecure resistant

Answer 10

20%

Question 11

what percentage of infants were insecure avoidant

Answer 11

10%

Question 12

Evaluation: strength - Reliable classifications - attachment styles

Answer 12

• Waters - assessed 50 infants 12-18 months of age using the ss technique = found stable individual differences using Ainsworth behaviour category data

Question 13

Evaluation: strength - high inter rate reliability

Answer 13

the research was highly operationalised - have a clear view of how securely attached infants behave due to the 4 specific criteria

Question 14

Weaknesses = 3 points

Answer 14

1. Culturally biased - ss was designed in America and based on observations of us children = critieria is based and us values and American behaviour = ethnocentric - observation of non Americans will be judged according to American standards
2. low population validity - 100 pps
3. not all categories are applicable - Main and Carrey