SSS Evaluation Flashcards
Describe the validity of the SSS about different parents.
Main and Weston found that children behave differently depending on the parent. This suggests that only one attachment is measured, not something lodged in the the individual.
However, Main used a longitudinal study and found that attachments types of chiefly influenced by the mother.
Describe the SSS’s construct validity.
It has supported the 4 different types of attachmets. They’re confirmed as distinct categories.
Describe the SSS’s predictive validity.
This is demonstrated in the correlations that are found between early attachment types and later behaviours.
Describe the SSS’s reliability.
The inter-rater reliability between the observers (to make sure the study was consistent) were almost perfect - .94 on a 1.00 scale.
Describe the SSS’s ethics.
The SSS causes mild distress which doubts its acceptance. Ainsworth claimed that it wasn’t any more than disturbing ordinary life. However, in episode 6, 20% of babies cried desperately.
Describe behaviour in later childhood and how it was researched.
Many longitudinal studies showed a link between early attachment and later social functioning. Prior and Glaser found that:
Secure attachments - Positive outcomes,less emotionally dependent, higher achievement orientation, interpersonal harmony.
Avoidant attachment - Later aggressiveness, negative
Resistant attachment - Greater anxiety
Disorganised - Hostile and aggressive behaviour.
Describe adult romantic behaviour and how it was researched.
Used a love quiz in a newspaper involving early experiences and attitudes. Shaver found that there were patterns.
Secure - Current experiences : Positive Attitudes: Trust and believe in enduring.
Avoidant - Current experiences : Fearful Attitudes: Not lasting or necessary
Resistant - Current experiences: Preoccupied by love Attitudes: Easily fall in love, trouble finding true love.
What are the three factors influencing attachment type?
Sensitivity, maternal reflective functioning, temperament.
Describe how sensitivity influences it.
Mothers of: Securely attached - Sensitive Insecurely - Unresponsive to crying Avoidant - Rejecting Resistant - Occupied when holding infant by other stuff.
Describe how maternal reflective functioning influences it.
Some studies have found low correlation between maternal sensitivity and attachment. MRF is to understand what someone else thinks and feels. Suggests that this may be central mechanism in establishing attachment.
Describe how temperament influences it.
Evidence is uncertain, but temperament may be a component in attachment type.
