attachment- Ainsworth

Question 1

what was Mary Ainsworth’s (1969) study called?

Answer 1

The Strange Situation

Question 2

what was the aim of the study?

Answer 2

observe key attachment behaviours as a means of assessing the quality of a child’s attachment to a caregiver

Question 3

describe the procedure of Ainsworth’s study

Answer 3

• a controlled observation= to measure the security of attachment
• take place in a lab with a two-way mirror in order to make observations
• a 9 x 9 foot space marked with 16 squares
• mother and child interacting in 8 different scenarios

Question 4

what were the behaviours used to judge attachment?

Answer 4

• proximity seeking= infant with good attachment -> fairly close to caregiver
• exploration and secure base behaviour= good attachment -> confident child from caregiver being the point of contact
• stranger anxiety= one of the signs to becoming closely attached when a stranger approaches
• separation anxiety= protest at separation from caregiver
• response to reunion= after separation of a short period of time w caregiver

Question 5

how long did each episode in the procedure last for?

Answer 5

3 mins

Question 6

describe the first episode and what it tests for

Answer 6

1. Child is encouraged to explore

tests for: exploration and secure base

Question 7

describe episode 2 and its test purpose

Answer 7

2. a stranger comes in and tries to interact w the child

tests for: stranger anxiety

Question 8

describe episode 3 and its test purpose

Answer 8

3. Caregiver leaves the room, leaving the child and stranger together

tests separation and stranger anxiety

Question 9

describe episode 4 and its test purpose

Answer 9

4. Caregiver returns and the stranger leaves

tests for reunion behaviour and exploration/ secure base

Question 10

describe episode 5 and its test purpose

Answer 10

5. caregiver leaves child alone briefly whilst they play

tests for separation anxiety

Question 11

describe episode 6 and its test purpose

Answer 11

6. the stranger returns (repeats behaviour in 3)

tests for: stranger anxiety

Question 12

describe episode 7 and its test purpose

Answer 12

7. caregiver returns and reunited w the child

tests for: reunion behaviour

Question 13

name the findings Ainsworth (1978) discovered

Answer 13

three main types of attachment
- secure attachment (type B)
- insecure-avoidant attachment (type A)
- Insecure-resistant (type C)

Question 14

describe secure attachment (type B) and the results

Answer 14

• children happily and regularly go back to caregiver (proximity and secure base)
• moderate separation and stranger anxiety
• require and accept comfort from caregiver in reunion stage
• 60-75% of British toddler are secure

Question 15

describe insecure- avoidant attachment (type A) and findings

Answer 15

• explore freely -> DO NOT seek proximity or show secure base
• little/ no reaction or contact when caregiver leaves and when they come back
• little stranger anxiety
• NO comfort required at reunion
• 20-25% are insecure-avoidant

Question 16

describe insecure- resistant (type C) attachment and findings

Answer 16

• seek greater proximity
• greater stranger and separation anxiety (e.g. foloows parents when they leave)
• comforted when reunited
• around 3% are insecure-resistant