strange situation Flashcards
Who developed the strange situation
Ainsworth
aim of the strange situation
observe key attachment behaviours as a means to assess the quality of a child’s attachment to a caregiver
Procedure
Controlled observation to measure attachment a child displayed towards a caregiver. Takes place in a room with quite controlled conditions with a two way mirror. The procedure had seven episodes each lasing 3 mins
7eps in order and what it tests for
1)child is encouraged to explore (tests exploration and secure base)
2) Stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child (tests stranger anxiety)
3) Caregiver leaves the child and stranger together (tests separation and stranger anxiety)
4) Caregiver returns and the stranger leaves (tests reunion behaviour and secure base)
5)Caregiver leaves the child alone (tests sep anxiety)
6)stranger returns (tests stranger anxiety)
7)Caregiver returns and is reunited with the child (reunion behaviour)
What behaviours were used to judge attachment
-Proximity seeking (staying fairly close to caregiver)
-Exploration and secure base behaviour- child confident to explore
-Stranger anxiety-display anxiety when stranger walks in
-Separation anxiety-protest at separation from caregiver
-Response to reunion
Findings of strange situation
She identified 3 main types of attachment:
Secure attachment
Insecure-avoidant attachment
Insecure-resistant attachment
Secure attachment (type B)
Moderate stranger anxiety and separation distress and ease of comfort at reunion .
60-75% were classified as secure
Insecure- avoidant attachment (type A)
Explore freely but do not seek proximity or show secure base behaviour.
Low anxiety but weak attachment
Low stranger and separation anxiety
Little response to reunion
(avoid caregiver)
20-25% of all toddlers
Insecure-resistant attachment (type C)
Seek greater proximity than others and so explore less
Strong attachment and high stranger and separation anxiety
Resist comfort when reunited with carer
3% of all toddlers
