Strange Situation

Question 1

Ainsworth study

Answer 1

Structured observations to measure quality of attachment
8 pre-determined stages including:
- Mother leaving room for short while
- Play with available toys
- Alone with stranger
- Mother returning

Question 2

Criteria of how attachment measured

Answer 2

• Separation anxiety
• Reunion behaviour
• Stranger anxiety
• Willingness to explore
• Observed through 1 way mirror

Question 3

Categories

Answer 3

Childs internal working model
. Secure = positive and loved
. Avoidant = unloved and rejected
. Resistant = angry and confused

Question 4

Results of study

Answer 4

From 100 infants studied
- 70% secure
- 15% avoidant insecure
- 15% insecure resistant

Results highlight role of mothers behaviour in determining quality of attachment

Question 5

Conclusion of study

Answer 5

Mothers behaviour towards infant predicts attachment type

Question 6

Strengths (Eval)

Answer 6

Replicable = research highly operationalised due to specific 4 categories Ainsworth used

Question 7

Weaknesses (Eval)

Answer 7

. Low population validity = 100 MC American mothers and infants

. Categories not always applicable = Main and Cassidy - infants don’t always fit into 3 categories

. Culturally Biased = designed by American according to observations in US kids - eurocentric