Mary Ainsworth - The Strange Situation Flashcards
What is the strange situation?
It is a structured observation of a parent-child interaction through a one way mirror, following a sequence of 3 minute episodes
How many episodes does the procedure involve?
8 episodes which involve the mother being present or absent and the introduction of a stranger
Who did Ainsworth use the SS on?
Children between 12-18 months in Baltimore
What did the SS focus on?
How the child responded to the stranger, the seperation from the mother and the reunion with the mother.
What was the first stage?
The mother and child are escorted into a small lab playroom that contains toys for the child to play with
What happens after the first stage?
The child explores the room and plays with the toys whilst the mother is present
For the third stage…
a stranger enters the room, greets the mother and talks to her and tries to interact with the child through play
When does the mother leave the room, leaving the child and stranger alone?
Stage 4
How is the period of time of the mother’s absence determined?
It depends on the child’s distress
What is the fifth stage?
After a short period of time, the mother returns to join the child and stranger. She consoles the child and the stranger leaves the room.
When does the mother leave the child totally alone?
Stage 6
The stranger enters the room again in stage 7 and ….
tries to interact with and console the child in the mothers’ absence
What happens in the final stage?
The mother returns to console the child and the stranger leaves.
How do Type Bs react to strangers?
They are indifferent to the stranger when the mother is present but ignores the stranger when alone due to fear
How do Type As react to strangers?
They play with the stranger regardless of the mother’s presence and do not check for the mother’s presence.
