Ainsworths Strange Situation Flashcards
What was the observation type
Non participant
Controlled
Covert
What were the participants
100 middle class infants and mothers
What was the setting
An artificial lab set out to look like a playroom
What are the 5 aspects that were assessed
-Proximity seeking
-Exploration and secure base seeking
-Stranger anxiety
-Separation anxiety
-Response to Reunion
What did the procedure consist of
7 ‘episodes’ with each lasting 3 minutes with the baby and caregiver first entering the unfamiliar room
Episode 1
Baby encouraged to explore by caregiver
Tests exploration and secure base
Episode 2
A stranger comes in, talks to the caregiver and approaches baby
Tests stranger anxiety
Episode 3
Caregiver leaves and the stranger tries to play with baby
Tests separation and stranger anxiety
Episode 4
The caregiver returns and the stranger leaves
Tests Reunion behavior
Episode 5
The caregiver leaves the baby by themselves
Tests separation anxiety
Episode 6
The stranger returns
Assessed stranger/separation anxiety
Episode 7
The stranger leaves and the caregiver returns
Assessing Reunion behavior
Exploration/secure base in secure attachment
Child happy to explore but still seeks proximity
Stranger and separation anxiety secure attachment
Moderate
Reunion behavior secure attachment
Requires and accepts comfort from caregiver
What % of British toddlers are securely attached
60-75%
Exploration/secure base in insecure avoidant attachments
Child happy to explore but does not seek proximity to caregiver
Exploration/secure base in an insecure resistant attachment
The child does not explore and seeks constant proximity to the caregiver
Stranger/separation anxiety in insecure avoidant attachment
Little to none
Stranger/separation anxiety in insecure resistant attachment
Extreme/high levels
Reunion behavior in insecure avoidant attachments
Doesn’t require or want comfort from caregiver
Reunion behavior in insecure avoidant attachments
Requires but resists comfort when reunited with caregiver
What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant
20-25%
What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant
3%
What forms a secure attachment
Mothers who are sensitive to an infant’s needs (reciprocity and interactional synchrony) and are accepting and cooperative
What forms an insecure avoidant attachment
Mothers who are more rejecting and less sensitive to a child’s needs
What causes an insecure resistant attachment
Mothers who are often occupied with routine activities whilst holding their child
