Attachment: Ainsworth’s Types Of Attachment TW Flashcards
What is the purpose of ‘the strange situation’ ?
To assess the strength / type of attachment
‘The strange situation’ used what type of observational method?
Controlled observation
What was Ainsworth’s sample when testing the ‘strange situation’ ?
100 middle-class American infants and their mothers
AO3: In what TWO ways could we criticise Ainsworth’s sample?
Ethnocentric (only Americans)
AND
Gender bias (only used mothers)
What four variables were measured in Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation’ ?
Willingness to Explore
Separation Anxiety
Stranger Anxiety
Reunion Behaviour
How did Ainsworth observe the children’s behaviour in each episode?
Through a two-way mirror
How many episodes were involved in the ‘strange situation’
7
How long did each episode last in Ainsworth’s strange situation?
3 minutes
What occurred in the first episode of the ‘strange situation’ ?
Parent enters room with the child, and the child explores for 3 mins
What was the first episode of ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Willingness to explore
What occurred in the second episode of the ‘strange situation’ ?
A stranger enters and joins the parent and infant and tries to interact with the child
What was the second episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Stranger anxiety
How was stranger anxiety measured in the ‘strange situation’ ?
Having a stranger enter the room
What occurred in the third episode of the ‘strange situation’
Parent leaves the infant with the stranger
What was the third episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Stranger and separation anxiety
What occurred in the fourth episode of the ‘strange situation’
Parent returns and the stranger leaves
How was reunion behaviour measured in the ‘strange situation’
By having the mother return
What occurred in the fifth episode of the ‘strange situation’
Parent leaves the child alone
What was the third episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Seperation anxiety
What is the difference between the 3rd episode and the 5th episode of the ‘strange situation’ ?
In episode 3 the child is with the stranger (measuring seperation + stranger anxiety)
WHEREAS
In episode 5 the child is completely alone (only measuring seperation anxiety)
What occurred in the sixth episode of the ‘strange situation’
The stranger returns
What is the sixth episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Stranger anxiety
What occurred in the seventh episode of the ‘strange situation’ ?
Parent returns and stranger leaves
What was the seventh episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring?
Reunion behaviour
“EP3 : The parent leaves the infant with the stranger”
What is this episode measuring?
Stranger and seperation anxiety
“EP1 : Parent enters the room with child, and the child explores”
What is this episode measuring?
Willingness to explore
What 3 types of attachment were identified in the ‘strange situation’ ?
Secure
Insecure avoidant
Insecure resistant
Describe a secure infants exploration behaviour
Willing to explore - but uses mother as secure base
Describe a secure infants reaction to seperation
Upset / subdued when mother leaves
OR
High levels of seperation anxiety
Describe a secure infants reaction to a stranger when alone
Avoidant of stranger
OR
Shows high stranger anxiety
Describe a secure infants reaction to a stranger when with their caregiver
Friendly when caregiver present
Describe a secure infants reaction when reunited with their caregiver
Positive / happy with mother returns
What type of caregiver is associated with producing a securely attached infant?
Responsive
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants exploration behaviour
Willing to explore environment
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to seperation
Unconcerned by mothers absence
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to a stranger
Unconcerned, but often avoidant
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to reunion
Unresponsive / unconcerned
What type of caregiver is associated with producing an infant with an insecure-avoidant attachment type ?
Unresponsive
Describe an insecure-resistant infants exploration behaviour
Low willingness to explore
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to seperation
Intensely distressed
OR
High seperation anxiety
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to strangers
Extreme fear of strangers
OR
High stranger anxiety
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to reunion
Clinginess mixed with rejection
What type of caregiver is associated with producing an infant with an insecure-resistant attachment type ?
Inconsistent
AO3: How could we criticise the method used by Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation’
Lacks ecological validity
AO3: How could we praise the method used by Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation’
High in reliability as standardised procedures
What 2 elements of Ainsworth’s procedure is standardised?
The order of each episode
OR
The length of each episode (3 mins)
Which attachment type is unconcerned by a mothers absence?
Insecure-avoidant
Which attachment type is extremely fearful of strangers?
Insecure - resistant
Which attachment type would show positive behaviours when reunited with their mother
Secure
Which attachment type would display low willingness to explore their environment?
Insecure resistant