Mary Ainsworth and Cross Cultural Research

Question 1

What did Ainsworth’s work in Uganda find?

Answer 1

• Securely attached children used mother as a safe base

- Insecurely attached children were clingy to mothers

Question 2

What was the aim of Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 2

To observe the varying attachments between mother and infant

Question 3

What was the sample of Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 3

26 middle class mothers and infants, aged 1-2

Question 4

Describe the procedure to Ainsworth

Answer 4

• Stranger enters and tries to interact with the child
• Mother leaves
• Mother enters and stranger leaves
• Mother leaves
• Stranger returns
• Mother returns

Question 5

What were the results of Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 5

• Securely Attached - 70%
• Insecure Avoidant - 20%
• Insecure Resistant - 10%

Question 6

Give 2 conclusions to Ainsworth’s study

Answer 6

• Different types of attachment

- Caused by parental sensivity (their reactions)

Question 7

What type of observation was used and how long was each observation?

Answer 7

Structured observation/lab experiment - 3 minutes each

Question 8

Was Ainsworth’s study generalisable?

Answer 8

• Only used middle class mothers and infants

- Mothers were primary caregivers when the experiment was carried out

Question 9

Was Ainsworth’s study reliable?

Answer 9

• Standardised procedure

- Filmed - high intra-rater reliability

Question 10

Was Ainsworth’s study applicable?

Answer 10

• Helps with daycare procedures

- Helps with parenting styles

Question 11

Was Ainsworth’s study valid?

Answer 11

• High in internal validity

- Low in ecological validity (arguably)

Question 12

Was Ainsworth’s study ethical?

Answer 12

• Identities kept confidential

- Infants put under a lot of stress

Question 13

What is secure attachment?

Answer 13

Experience separation anxiety and is easily comforted on reunion

Question 14

What is insecure avoidant attachment?

Answer 14

Experience no separation anxiety and don’t need comfort on reunion

Question 15

What is resistant attachment?

Answer 15

Experience high levels of separation anxiety and difficult to comfort on reunion (often lash out)

Question 16

What types of parenting styles cause the different types of attachment?

Answer 16

Secure Attachment - Responsive

Insecure Avoidant - Neglectful

Insecure Resistant - Inconsistent

Question 17

What did Main and Solomon state about this study?

Answer 17

There may have been a 4th attachment type

Question 18

What did research disover about German children and why?

Answer 18

Majority were insecure avoidant because parents encourage independence

Question 19

What did research disover about Japanese children and why?

Answer 19

Majority were securely attached because parent and child often have close proximity

Question 20

What did research discover about Israeli children and why?

Answer 20

Majority were resistant avoidant because there’s a lack of proximity between parent and child