strange situation Flashcards
observation type
Non participant Controlled Covert
pps
100 middle class infants and mothers
setting
An artificial lab set out to look like a playroom
what aspects were assessed
-Proximity seeking
-Exploration and secure base seeking
-Stranger anxiety
-Separation anxiety
-Response to Reunion
what was the procedure
7 ‘episodes’ with each lasting 3 minutes with the baby and caregiver first entering the unfamiliar room
episode 1
Baby encouraged to explore by caregiver
Tests exploration and secure base
episode 2
A stranger comes in, talks to the caregiver and approaches baby
Tests stranger anxiety
episode 3
Caregiver leaves and the stranger tries to play with baby
Tests separation and stranger anxiety
episode 4
The caregiver returns and the stranger leaves
Tests Reunion behaviour
episode 5
The caregiver leaves the baby by themselves
Tests separation anxiety
episode 6
The stranger returns
Assessed stranger/separation anxiety
episode 7
The stranger leaves and the caregiver returns
Assessing Reunion behaviour
Exploration/secure base in secure attachment
Stranger and separation anxiety secure attachment
Reunion behaviour secure attachment
-Child happy to explore but still seeks proximity
-Moderate
-Requires and accepts comfort from caregiver
What % of British toddlers are securely attached
60-75%
Exploration/secure base in insecure avoidant attachments?
Stranger/separation anxiety in insecure avoidant attachment?
Reunion behaviour in insecure avoidant attachments?
-Child happy to explore but does not seek proximity to caregiver
-Little to none
-Doesn’t require or want comfort from caregiver
What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant
20-25%
What % of British toddlers are insecure avoidant
3%
what forms a secure attachment
Mothers who are sensitive to an infant’s needs (reciprocity and interactional synchrony) and are accepting and cooperative
what forms a insecure avoidant attachment
Mothers who are more rejecting and less sensitive to a child’s needs
what forms a insecure resistant attachment
Mothers who are often occupied with routine activities whilst holding their child
