Ainsworths Strange Situation

Question 1

What was the observation type

Answer 1

Non participant
Controlled
Covert

Question 2

What were the participants

Answer 2

100 middle class infants and mothers

Question 3

What was the setting

Answer 3

An artificial lab set out to look like a playroom

Question 4

What are the 5 aspects that were assessed

Answer 4

-Proximity seeking
-Exploration and secure base seeking
-Stranger anxiety
-Separation anxiety
-Response to Reunion

Question 5

What did the procedure consist of

Answer 5

7 ‘episodes’ with each lasting 3 minutes with the baby and caregiver first entering the unfamiliar room

Question 6

Episode 1

Answer 6

Baby encouraged to explore by caregiver

Tests exploration and secure base

Question 7

Episode 2

Answer 7

A stranger comes in, talks to the caregiver and approaches baby

Tests stranger anxiety

Question 8

Episode 3

Answer 8

Caregiver leaves and the stranger tries to play with baby

Tests separation and stranger anxiety

Question 9

Episode 4

Answer 9

The caregiver returns and the stranger leaves

Tests Reunion behavior

Question 10

Episode 5

Answer 10

The caregiver leaves the baby by themselves

Tests separation anxiety

Question 11

Episode 6

Answer 11

The stranger returns

Assessed stranger/separation anxiety

Question 12

Episode 7

Answer 12

The stranger leaves and the caregiver returns

Assessing Reunion behavior

Question 13

Exploration/secure base in secure attachment

Answer 13

Child happy to explore but still seeks proximity

Question 14

Stranger and separation anxiety secure attachment

Answer 14

Moderate

Question 15

Reunion behavior secure attachment

Answer 15

Requires and accepts comfort from caregiver

Question 16

What % of British toddlers are securely attached

Answer 16

60-75%

Question 17

Exploration/secure base in insecure avoidant attachments

Answer 17

Child happy to explore but does not seek proximity to caregiver

Question 18

Exploration/secure base in an insecure resistant attachment

Answer 18

The child does not explore and seeks constant proximity to the caregiver

Question 19

Stranger/separation anxiety in insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 19

Little to none

Question 20

Stranger/separation anxiety in insecure resistant attachment

Answer 20

Extreme/high levels

Question 21

Reunion behavior in insecure avoidant attachments

Answer 21

Doesn’t require or want comfort from caregiver

Question 22

Reunion behavior in insecure avoidant attachments

Answer 22

Requires but resists comfort when reunited with caregiver

Question 23

What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant

Answer 23

20-25%

Question 24

What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant

Answer 24

3%

Question 25

What forms a secure attachment

Answer 25

Mothers who are sensitive to an infant’s needs (reciprocity and interactional synchrony) and are accepting and cooperative

Question 26

What forms an insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 26

Mothers who are more rejecting and less sensitive to a child’s needs

Question 27

What causes an insecure resistant attachment

Answer 27

Mothers who are often occupied with routine activities whilst holding their child