Ainsworths Strange Situation

Question 1

What method did Ainsworth use in the Strange Situation study?

Answer 1

Controlled, covert, non-participant observational method

This involved placing infants in a comfortable room with toys while trained observers recorded behavior.

Question 2

How many infants were observed in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation study?

Answer 2

100 American middle-class infants

Typically aged 12 - 18 months.

Question 3

What is the duration of the first episode in the Strange Situation?

Answer 3

30 seconds

This episode involves the observer introducing the mother and baby to the room.

Question 4

What happens during the second episode of the Strange Situation?

Answer 4

Baby left to explore room whilst mother present

This episode lasts for 3 minutes.

Question 5

What is assessed during the Strange Situation procedure?

Answer 5

Key attachment behaviours

Includes separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, reunion behaviour, and secure-base behaviour.

Question 6

Define separation anxiety as assessed in the Strange Situation.

Answer 6

Any distress shown when the mother leaves/is absent

This behaviour indicates the attachment level of the infant.

Question 7

What does stranger anxiety refer to in Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 7

Any distress shown when the stranger is present

It also includes the ability of the stranger to comfort the infant.

Question 8

What type of behaviour is referred to as secure-base behaviour?

Answer 8

How much the child explores the novel environment and how close it orients itself towards the mother

This behaviour reflects the child’s comfort level with exploration.

Question 9

What percentage of children were classified as Type A (Insecure Avoidant) in the findings?

Answer 9

22%

These children showed little distress and avoided contact with the mother upon her return.

Question 10

Describe the reunion behaviour of Type B (Secure) children.

Answer 10

Mild to moderate distress, may cry, seek comfort from the mother, and are easily soothed

They settle back down quickly after reunion.

Question 11

What percentage of children were classified as Type C (Insecure Resistant)?

Answer 11

12%

These children were highly distressed and showed resistance during reunion.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The Strange Situation involves _______ distinct episodes.

Answer 12

8

Each episode assesses different attachment behaviours.

Question 13

True or False: Insecure Avoidant children sought comfort from their mother upon her return.

Answer 13

False

They did not seek comfort and avoided contact.

Question 14

What occurs during the third episode of the Strange Situation?

Answer 14

Stranger enters, speaks with mother, and attempts to interact with baby

This episode lasts for 3 minutes.

Question 15

What is the significance of the ‘secure-base’ concept in attachment theory?

Answer 15

It reflects the child’s ability to explore while feeling safe with the caregiver

Indicates a secure attachment style.

Question 16

What is the behavior of infants classified as Type A - Insecure Avoidant?

Answer 16

They respond to the mother and stranger in the same way, ignoring/rejecting the stranger’s attempts to comfort them

Type A infants do not orient behavior towards the mother and their play is hardly affected by her presence.

Question 17

What is the behavior of infants classified as Type B - Secure?

Answer 17

They use the mother as a safe base from which to explore and are able to function independently

They are positively engaged with both the mother and the stranger.

Question 18

What is the behavior of infants classified as Type C - Insecure Resistant?

Answer 18

They are not interested in the stranger and reject the stranger’s attempts to give comfort

These infants cry more and explore less than the other types.

Question 19

What attachment type is considered most healthy according to the conclusions?

Answer 19

Type B - Secure attachment

Types A and C are classified as unhealthy, insecure attachment types.

Question 20

What does the Caregiver Sensitivity Hypothesis propose?

Answer 20

The extent to which a caregiver meets their infant’s needs predicts their attachment type and subsequent internal working model

This hypothesis suggests a direct correlation between caregiver sensitivity and attachment outcomes.

Question 21

What characterizes Type A’s internal working model (IWM)?

Answer 21

Unhealthy IWM with a negative view of the self and others

This is due to the caregiver being rejecting and not meeting the child’s emotional needs.

Question 22

What characterizes Type B’s internal working model (IWM)?

Answer 22

Healthy IWM with a positive view of self and others

This is attributed to the caregiver being emotionally available, sensitive, and supportive.

Question 23

What characterizes Type C’s internal working model (IWM)?

Answer 23

Unhealthy IWM with a negative view of the self and a positive view of others

This is due to the caregiver inconsistently meeting the child’s emotional needs.

Question 24

True or False: Type C infants have a healthy internal working model.

Answer 24

False

Type C infants have an unhealthy internal working model.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Type A infants have a _______ view of the self and others.

Answer 25

negative ## Footnote This view is a result of their caregivers rejecting their emotional needs.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Type B infants have a _______ view of self and others.

Answer 26

positive ## Footnote Their healthy internal working model reflects the emotional availability of their caregivers.

Question 27

Strength-methodological

Answer 27

P-strong control over extraneous variables and standardised procedure E-same toys and timings are used in each test to make sure all infants are observed in the same way.Walters found 48/50 infants were given the same attachment classification at 12 and 18 months E-Method is therefore reliable and can be repeated consistently.The controlled set up helps reduce other factors that might affect the Babies behaviour,making the findings more trustworthy L-Therefore, reliable ways of measuring infant attachment

Question 28

Limitation-methodological

Answer 28

P-Lacks ecological validity due to artificial setting E-Takes place in a lab/playroom setting which is not a natural environment for the baby or parent E-May reflect, the infants behaviour as if they were at home/natural environments The presence of the observer may also change how the parents/babies behave leading to inaccurate attachment classifications.Observer could also be biased L-May not accurately show real life attachments between infants and caregivers

Question 29

Limitation-cultural bias

Answer 29

P-culturally biased E-Van Ljendoorn found 30% of children in Japan and Israel (collectivist cultures)classified as type C(insecure resistant) compared to just 4% in the UK and Sweden (individualistic cultures) E-Based on American ideals of parenting,assuming all babies react the same way to separation.However in some cultures babies are hardly left alone e.g Japan)being left alone with a stranger may be more upsetting.So, they don’t actually have poor attachment styles In contrast in Germany,parents encourage independence which may explore more type A(insecure avoidant) children L-may not be valid in non western cultures and can’t fairly compare attachment styles across the world