L4 - types of attachments

Question 1

what was the strange situation

Answer 1

created by ainsworth
investigate differences in attachments
controlled observation in a room with toys

Question 2

what were the 7 episodes of the strange situation

Answer 2

parent sits with infant
stranger enters
parent leaves and infant plays, stranger offers comfort
parent returns and offers comfort, stranger leaves
parent leaves - infant is alone
stranger enters and offers comfort
parent returns, and offers comfort

Question 3

what were the behaviours observed in the strange situation

Answer 3

proximity seeking
stranger anxiety
separation protest
reunion joy

Question 4

what were the findings of the strange situation

Answer 4

70% - secure
20% - insecure-avoidant
10% - insecure-resistant

Question 5

characteristics of type a - insecure-avoidant attachment

Answer 5

ignores caregiver and plays independently
no separation anxiety
no stranger anxiety
no reunion joy

Question 6

characteristics of type B - secure attachment

Answer 6

use caregiver as secure base
shows separation anxiety
reunion joy
shows some stranger anxiety

Question 7

characteristics of type c - insecure-resistant attachment

Answer 7

clingy and does not explore room
extreme separation anxiety
no reunion job
extreme stranger anxiety

Question 8

strength of the strange situation

Answer 8

replicated many times
high level of control
standardised procedures
carried out successfully in different cultures

Question 9

weaknesses of the strange situation

Answer 9

• developed in US, culturally biased, e.g. in germany infants are encouraged to be more independent and self-reliant so show less anxiety when separate from mothers and are classed as avoidant
• validity questioned: argued that proximity seeking could be a measure of insecurity rather than security
• lacks ecological validity: found that babies’ attachment are stronger in lab settings than in home environment