Strange Situation- Types Of Attachment

Question 1

Aim of strange situation- Mary ainsworth A01

Answer 1

Assess how infants 9-18 months behave under conditions of mild stress

To test stranger anxiety, separation anxiety and secure-base concept

Question 2

Procedure of strange situation AO1

Answer 2

-controlled observation
-106 infants middle class American families
-laboratory environment with 2 way mirror psychologists can observe child’s behaviour (unfamiliar environment)

-8 episodes, each lasting approximately 3 minutes

Stages:
1- mother, baby, experimenter
2- mother baby alone
3- stranger joins mother and infant
4- mother leaves baby and stranger alone
5- mother returns stranger leaves
6- mother leaves; infant left completely alone
7- stranger returns
8- mother returns and stranger leaves

Behaviour observed video taped- most attention to reunion behaviours- infant responses when mother returned

15 seconds- category displayed scored on 1-7 scale

Analysis of observations - measuring infants type of attachment