strange situation

Question 1

outline the procedure of the strange situation

Answer 1

• controlled observation conducted through a two-way mirror
• 7 stages each lasting 3 minutes:
  1. caregiver enters, places child on floor and doesn’t interact unless seeking attention
  2. stranger enters, talks to caregiver and approaches child with toy
  3. caregiver exits the room, if infant plays then stranger observes without interruption, if child is passive then stranger attempts to interest with a toy, if shows distress then stranger attempts to comfort
  4. caregiver returns and stranger leaves
  5. once infant plays again, caregiver may leave, leaving child alone briefly
  6. stranger enters and repeats step 3
  7. stranger leaves and caregiver returns
• observes 4 types of behaviour: separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, willingness to explore and reunion behaviour

Question 2

what are the 3 types of attachment ainsworth identified

Answer 2

• secure = most popular about 60-75%, some separation anxiety, easily soothed, able to play independently + use carer as safe base
• insecure resistant = least common about 3% very distressed on separation, rejects carer on reunion, less inclined to explore new environments
• insecure avoidant = about 20-25%no separation anxiety, no stranger anxiety, avoid social interaction with carer, able to explore independently

Question 3

strengths of SS

Answer 3

• high level of control = lab setting means extraneous variables were highly controlled and therefore increases the validity of the study

Question 4

weaknesses of SS

Answer 4

• ethical issues = 20% cried desperately at one point, deliberately put children in a mildly stressful situation and therefore weren’t protected from psychological harm
• lack population validity = based on western culture and carried out in america, doesn’t represent a wider population and contain culture bias
• lacks ecological validity = lab setting is artificial and therefore doesn’t represent an everyday setting
• challenging evidence = Main and Solomon found a forth attachment type - disorganised attachment, this challenges the validity of the results as some children may belong in this other attachment type and have been mistakenly put in one of the other 3