Strange Situation Flashcards
What age were the child participants?
9-18 months
What kind of setting was the strange situation set in?
A laboratory setting with attractive toys
What happens first?
The mother and child are left to settle in and the child explores the room, whilst the mother sits on a chair for three minutes
After the mother and infant are settled what happens?
A stranger enters, talks to the mother and tries to interact with the infant for 3 minutes
After the first appearance of the stranger for 3 minutes what happens?
The mother leaves and the stranger tries to comfort the baby or continues to interact with the baby for three minutes
After the stranger has been alone for 3 minutes with the baby what happens?
The mother enters and the stranger exists and the mother stays with her baby for 3 minutes
After the mother is alone for 3 minutes with her baby what happens?
The mother leaves and stranger renters
After the second appearance of the stranger for 3 minutes what happens?
The mother returns to comfort the child
In what conditions would the standard period of 3 minutes be shortened?
If the baby got very distressed
How was the infant observed?
Through a one way mirror
What 4 behaviours were the children rated on that determined their attachment type?
Exploration
Separation behaviour
Stranger anxiety
Reunion behaviour
Who developed the strange situation?
Mary Ainsworth
How does a securely attached child behave when exploring?
It uses the mother as a safe base when exploring and will return to her after regular intervals to interact
How does a securely attached child behave when the stranger appears?
It moves closer to the mother and are wary of the stranger
How does a securely attached child behave when separated from their mother?
They are upset but not excessively
How does a securely attached child behave when their mother returns?
They greet her positively and make physical contact
What percentage of children in the UK have a secure attachment?
75%
How does a insecurely avoidant attached child behave when exploring?
They explore the room, but don’t interact with the mother
How does a insecurely avoidant attached child behave when the stranger appears?
They are unconcerned and doesn’t seem to prefer the mother to the stranger
How does a insecurely avoidant attached child behave when the mother leaves?
The are unconcerned?
How does a insecurely avoidant attached child behave when the mother returns?
Shows little interest
What percentage of insecure avoidant children make up theUK population?
20%
How does a insecurely resistant attached child behave when the mother leaves?
Intense distress
How does a insecurely resistant attached child behave when the mother returns?
They may cling to her or reject her
In the UK what percentage of children are insecure resistant?
5%
What did Ainsworth say determined the attachment type?
The mothering
How will a mother of a secure child behave?
Responsive to their needs and gives the child a good internal working model
How will a mother of an insecure avoidant child behave?
They are rejecting and unloving and gives the child an internal working model that says they are unworthy
How will a mother of an insecure resistant child behave?
They are inconsistent so the child exaggerates their behaviour
