attachment 7 - types of attachment (ainsworth)

Question 1

what was the conditions of ainsworth’s experiment?

Answer 1

in a laboratory under controlled conditions,

Question 2

how did ainsworth eliminate confounding variables in her experiment?

Answer 2

using a two way mirror so that she could observe the child’s reactions without causing confounding variables by being in the room

Question 3

what does ainsworth using a two way mirror eliminate?

Answer 3

confounding variables

Question 4

list the 5 behaviours that ainsworth was looking for in her experiment

Answer 4

proximity seeking, exploration of secure base, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, response to reunion

Question 5

what is proximity seeking?

Answer 5

staying close to the care giver

Question 6

what is exploration of secure base?

Answer 6

exploring the area around them

Question 7

list the 7 stages of ainsworth’s experiment and what behaviour each one looks for

Answer 7

1. child is encouraged to explore, tests exploration of a secure base
2. a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child, tests stranger anxiety
3. the care giver leaves the child and stranger together, tests separation and stranger anxiety
4. the care giver returns and the stranger leaves, tests reunion behaviour
5. the care giver leaves and the child is left alone, tests separation anxiety
   6.the stranger returns, tests stranger anxiety
6. the caregiver returns and is reunited with the child, tests reunion behaviour

Question 8

what attachment is type b, as identified by ainsworth?

Answer 8

secure attachment

Question 9

how do children with a secure attachment explore?

Answer 9

happily but regularly go back to their caregiver

Question 10

how do children with a secure attachment react to separation and stranger anxiety?

Answer 10

moderate distress when separated and moderate stranger anxiety

Question 11

when do children with a secure attachment accept comfort from the care giver?

Answer 11

only at the reunion stage

Question 12

what percent of british toddlers are classified as having a secure attachment?

Answer 12

around 60-75%

Question 13

around 60-75% of british toddlers have what type of attachment?

Answer 13

secure attachment

Question 14

what type of attachment is type a?

Answer 14

insecure avoidant

Question 15

how do children with an insecure avoidant attachment explore? (proximity and secure base behaviour)

Answer 15

they expire freely but do not seek proximity or show secure base behaviour

Question 16

how do babies with insecure avoidant attachment react when left alone or with a stranger?

Answer 16

they show very little reaction

Question 17

do babies with an insecure avoidant attachment require comfort at the reunion stage?

Answer 17

no

Question 18

around 20-35% of toddlers have what type of attachment?

Answer 18

insecure avoidant

Question 19

what attachment is type c?

Answer 19

insecure resistant

Question 20

why do children with insecure resistant attachment explore less?

Answer 20

they seek greater proximity

Question 21

how do insecure resistant children react to stranger anxiety and separation?

Answer 21

huge amounts of distress

Question 22

how do insecure resistant children react when reunited with their carer?

Answer 22

they are comforted

Question 23

around 3% of british toddlers are what type of attachment?

Answer 23

insecure resistant

Question 24

how does ainsworth’s study show support for validity because it explains later outcomes in life (types of attachment)?

Answer 24

babies assessed as secure typically go on to have better outcomes in many areas ranging from success at school to friendships and romantic relationships. insecure resistant attachment is associated with the worst outcomes including bullying in later childhood and adult mental health problems.

Question 25

how does ainsworth’s study show support for reliability (controlled setting, multiple observers)?

Answer 25

different observers watching the children generally agree on the classification (inter-rater reliability). this is because it is conducted in such a controlled setting and the description of the types of attachment are easily identified.

Question 26

how does ainsworth’s study have cultural bias?

Answer 26

may be a culture bound test, meaning it does not have the same meaning in countries outside western europe and the usa. different cultures bring up their children differently and different cultures experience the strange situation differently. for example. in japan mothers and children are rarely separated so they are more likely to experience stranger and separation anxiety.