Strange situation

Question 1

Who was the key researcher ?

Answer 1

Mary Ainsworth

Question 2

What was the sample and aim of the strange situation ?

Answer 2

The aim to assess the quality of attachment between infant and mother
The sample – American infants and mothers.
8 Episodes

Question 3

What were the 8 Episodes in the strange situation ?

Answer 3

1.Introduce the baby
2.willingness to explore
3.test for stranger anxiety
4.seperation anxiety
5.reunion behaviour
6.seperation anxiety
7.stranger anxiety
8.reunion behaviour

Question 4

What are the 3 types of attachment ?

Answer 4

Secure - 75%
Insecure Resistant - 15%
Insecure Avoidant - 15%

Question 5

Define Secure attachment ?

Answer 5

Confident that attachment figure will be available to meet their needs.​
Use attachment figure as safe base.
Seek contact when distressed ​
Moderate levels of stranger and separation anxiety but can be reassured by mother.​

Question 6

Define Insecure Resistant attachment ?

Answer 6

Indecisive behaviour style​
Child shows clingy and dependent behaviour, but will reject attachment figure.​
No feelings of security​- Separation anxiety in unfamiliar environment​
When distressed, difficult to soothe​
High levels of stranger & separation anxiety

Question 7

Define Insecure Avoidant attachment ?

Answer 7

Very independent of the attachment figure​ when exploring
Do not seek contact when distressed.​
Attachment figure may withdraw from helping during difficult tasks, not available during times of emotional distress.​
Very little stranger or separation anxiety.​

Question 8

Define the Caregiver sensitivity hypothesis​

Answer 8

The mother forms the basis for the attachment type that the child will produce

Question 9

Evaluate the strange situation study

Answer 9

+ Reliable – can be replicated. Main, Kaplan and Cassidy study retested at age 6. 100% still secure, 75% still avoidant​
- Breaks ethical guidelines​
- Culture bias – American sample​
- Lacks ecological validity​
- Predicts later outcomes