attachment - types of attachment Flashcards
who conducted the Strange Situation?
Ainsworth and Bell (1970)
what is the Strange Situation?
a controlled observation to measure security of attachment a baby displays towards a caregiver
conducted in a room with controlled conditions and a two-way mirror for observation
what behaviours were used to judge attachment?
proximity-seeking
exploration and secure-base
stranger anxiety
separation anxiety
response to reunion
what were the episodes of the procedure?
baby encouraged to explore
stranger comes in, talks to caregiver, approaches baby
caregiver leaves
caregiver returns and stranger leaves
caregiver leaves the baby alone
stranger returns
caregiver returns and is reunited with baby
what 3 attachment types did Ainsworth identify?
insecure-avoidant (type A)
secure (type B)
insecure-resistant (type C)
secure attachment (type B)
explore happily but regularly return to caregiver
show moderate separation and stranger anxiety
require and accept comfort at reunion
how many British babies are type B?
60-75%
insecure-avoidant attachment (type A)?
explore freely and don’t seek proximity
little to no separation or stranger anxiety
little effort make contact at reunion
how many British babies are type A?
20-25%
insecure-resistant attachment (type C)
seek greater proximity and explore less
high levels of separation and stranger anxiety
resist comfort when reunited
how many British babies are type C?
3%
strength - good predictive validity
those assessed to be secure tended to have better outcomes
- better achievement in school
- less involvement in bullying
- better mental health
counterpoint - SS may not measure attachment. Some have suggested genetically-influenced anxiety levels could account for variations in attachment behaviour in SS
strength - inter-rater reliability
Pick et al (2012) tested inter-rater reliability and found agreement on 94% of cases
could be result of controlled conditions and easily observed behaviour
limitation - culture-bound
study in Japan by Takahashi (1986) found disproportionately high number of babies classified as I-R
could be the result of child-rearing style in Japan, not poor attachment
