Attachment: Ainsworth's Strange Situation Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

Proximity seeking

A

An infant with a good attachment will stay fairly close to the caregiver

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2
Q

Exploration and secure-based behaviour

A

Good attachment enables a child to feel confident to explore, using their caregiver as a secure base

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3
Q

Stranger anxiety

A

Distress when another adult approaches who is not the primary caregiver

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4
Q

Separation anxiety

A

Protest at separation from the caregiver

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5
Q

Response at reunion

A

The behaviour when the primary caregiver returns

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6
Q

Strange Situation procedure

A

The child is encouraged to explore. This tests exploration and secure-based behaviour
A stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child. This tests stranger anxiety
The caregiver leaves the child and the stranger together. This tests separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
The caregiver returns and the stranger leaves. This tests response at reunion
The caregiver leaves the child alone. This tests separation anxiety
The stranger returns. This tests stranger anxiety
The caregiver returns and is reunited with the child. This tests response at reunion

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7
Q

Type A: insecure-avoidant

A

These children explore freely but do not seek proximity or show secure-base behaviour. They show little or no reaction when their caregiver leaves and they make little effort to make contact when the caregiver returns. They also show little stranger anxiety. They do not require comfort at the reunion stage
20-25% of British toddlers

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8
Q

Type B: secure

A

These children explore happily but go back to their caregiver regularly. The usually show moderate separation anxiety and stranger anxiety. They require comfort from their caregiver at reunion stage.
60-75% of British toddlers

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9
Q

Type B: insecure-resistant

A

These children seek greater proximity than others and explore less. They show huge stranger anxiety and separation anxiety but they resist comfort when reunited with their carer.
3% of British toddlers

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10
Q

Strengths of the strange situation

A

Standardised procedure means high internal validity

Has practical application as it has helped parents form better attachments with their children

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11
Q

Weaknesses of the strange situation

A

Not a naturalistic observation as it did not take place in the babies’ homes
It was an overt observation and so mothers may have acted differently to impress the observer (social desirability bias)
It is culturally biased to western standards

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