Strange situation

Question 1

Who researched attachment types

Answer 1

Ainsworth

Question 2

What was the procedure for the strange situation

Answer 2

A controlled non participant overt observation

Question 3

Who did Ainsworth look into

Answer 3

100 middle class American primary caregivers

Question 4

How many stages did the experiment have

Answer 4

7

Question 5

What is the first stage and what does it test for

Answer 5

The first stage was mum and baby enter the room this stage tests for exploration behaviours from a secure base

Question 6

What is stage 2 and what does it test for

Answer 6

The second stage was the stranger enters to see the baby’s reaction this stage tests for stranger anxiety.

Question 7

What is the third stage and what does it test for

Answer 7

The third stage was mum leaves the room this stage tests for separation anxiety

Question 8

What was the fourth stage and what does this test for

Answer 8

The fourth stage was mum returns and & stranger leaves this stage tests for reunion behaviour

Question 9

What is the fifth stage and what does it test for

Answer 9

The fifth stage was mum leaves again so the baby is alone in the room this stage tests for separation anxiety

Question 10

What is the sixth stage and what does this test for

Answer 10

The sixth stage was the stranger enters this stage tests for stranger and separation anxiety

Question 11

What is the seventh stage and what does this test for

Answer 11

The seventh stage was mum returns and stranger leaves this stage tests for reunion behaviours - the child should be happy and seek comfort from their mum upon her return -

Question 12

What were the three types of attachment types she found

Answer 12

Insecure avoidant
Secure
Insecure resistant

Question 13

Describe insecure avoidant

Answer 13

type A babies explore freely without secure base proximity and have indifference towards separation and strangers

Question 14

Describe secure attachment types

Answer 14

This is the most common - type B babies explore happily with their caregiver as a regular secure base and have mild separation & stranger anxiety but unlike type A babies type B babies seek comfort upon their caregivers return.

Question 15

Describe insecure resistant type

Answer 15

type C babies explore a little and seek a lot of proximity with high separation and stranger anxiety they seek comfort upon the caregivers return but resist it

Question 16

What is a strength of this study

Answer 16

has support for validity the attachment type as defined by the strange situation is strongly predictive of later development for example babies assessed as secure type often go on to have better outcomes in many areas such as school and romantic relationships alongside friendships in adulthood unlike those with insecure resistant attachment who are associated with worst outcomes such as being bullied in later life
ADDS TO VALIDITY

Question 17

What is a limitation of this study

Answer 17

low population validity as the original experiment used middle class American children and can therefore not be generalised not only due to its class bias as different classes raise children differently but also its gender bias as it solely focuses on mother disregarding the father as a possible primary caregiver

Question 18

What is another limitation of this study

Answer 18

Ethical issues - child is put under deliberate stress this goes against protection from psychological harm due to SA + SA - Ainsworth argued it was justified + normal for children to face brief separation