LS7 - Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Question 1

Ainsworth

Answer 1

Ainsworth focused on individual differences between the types of attachments infants formed with their caregivers.

Question 2

The Strange Situation

Answer 2

Ainsworth devised the strange situation to test the nature of attachment systematically.

Question 3

Strange Situation Aim

Answer 3

To see how infants behave under conditions of mild stress and novelty.

Question 4

Strange Situation Method

Answer 4

Ainsworth induced stress on infants by the presence of a stranger alonside separation from a caregiver, testing both stranger and separation anxiety.

Question 5

Strange Situation Procedure

Answer 5

Ainsworth used controlled observation to see how the infant would react in 8 different episodes, each designed to highlight different behaviours. He ranked each baby on a scale of 1 to 7 across 5 behaviours.

Question 6

The 5 Behaviours

Answer 6

Proximity And Contact-Seeking
Contact-Mainting
Proximity And Interaction-Avoiding
Contact And Interaction-Resisting
Search Behaviours

Question 7

Strange Situation Findings

Answer 7

Secure was the most common type of attachment. Avoid and resistant had the same amounts

Question 8

Similarities

Answer 8

Exploratory behaviours reduced for all children.
Seeking and contact-behaviours increased during separation and reunion.
No resistant was shown before separation.

Question 9

Strange Situation Strengths

Answer 9

Highly Reliable
Real World Application

Question 10

Highly Reliable (+)

Answer 10

Ainsworth found a .94 agreement between raters and independant observers that were measuring the infant’s behaviour were in agreement with what they saw.

Question 11

Real World Application (+)

Answer 11

Circle of security project teaches caregivers to understand their infants signals of distress better which showed a decrease in the number of disordered caregivers and increase securely attached ones.

Question 12

Strange Situation Weaknesses

Answer 12

4th Type Of Attachment
Ethical Issues
Low Ecological Validity

Question 13

4th Type Of Attachment (-)

Answer 13

Ainsworth ignored a possible 4th attachment: insecure-disorganised which is where there is a lack of consistent behaviours/attachment.

Question 14

Ethical Issues (-)

Answer 14

The study could’ve caused psychological harm to the infants, although Ainsworth did claim that the procedure wasn’t intended to be more harmful than ordinary life experiences.