Attachment - Strange Situation

Question 0

What four observations does the Strange Situation observe?

Answer 0

• Willingness to explore
• Separation Anxiety
• Stranger Anxiety
• Reunion Behaviour

Question 1

What is the Strange Situation?

Answer 1

A lab study using an observational technique to identify the different types of attachment.

Question 2

What are the three types of attachment?

Answer 2

Secure Attachment, Resistant Attachment & Avoidant Attachment

Question 4

What are some issues with the Strange Situation?

Answer 4

• Lacks population validity
   - conducted on American, middle-class children
• Lacks ecological validity
   - conducted in controlled conditions
• Cultural Bias
• Ethical Issues
   - causing distress to the infant
• Bases attachment on observation of the relationship between the infant and one caregiver, ignoring other possible attachment figures

Question 5

Why do children show different types of attachment?

Answer 5

• Their temperament
- Some children are born friendly, and others are not
- Less friendly children = insecure attachment
• Caregiver Sensitivity
- Sensitive mother = secure attachment
- Insensitive mother = insecure attachment

Question 6

Outline the behaviours towards the observations with a child with a secure attachment

Answer 6

• Willingness to explore
   - Child explores when PCG is near but less so when PCG is near
• Separation Anxiety
   - Child is distressed when PCG leaves
• Stranger Anxiety
   - Avoidant of stranger when PCG is not near
• Reunion Behaviour
   - Happy when PCG returns

Question 7

Outline the behaviours towards the observations with a child with a resistant attachment

Answer 7

• Separation Anxiety
   - Intense distress when PCG leaves
• Stranger Anxiety
   - Infant avoids the stranger; shows fear
• Reunion Behaviour
   - Approaches PCG but resits contact

Question 8

Outline the behaviours towards the observations with a child with an avoidant attachment

Answer 8

• Separation Anxiety
   - No sign of distress when PCG leaves
• Stranger Anxiety
   - Does not mind the stranger
• Reunion Behaviour
   - Little interest when PCG returns