the strange situation

Question 1

who conducted study

Answer 1

Ainsworth and Bell

Question 2

aim

Answer 2

measure the quality of infants attachment

Question 3

observation techniques

Answer 3

controlled
covert (2 way mirror)

Question 4

method

Answer 4

1. child + caregiver enter unfamiliar room
2. caregiver sits on chair, infant encouraged to play
3. stranger enters and interacts with child
4. caregiver leaves, stranger continues to interact
5. caregiver returns, stranger leaves
6. caregiver leaves child alone
7. caregiver returns, united

Question 5

4 categories to test attachment

Answer 5

willing to explore
separation anxiety
stranger anxiety
reunion behaviour

Question 6

secure attachment

Answer 6

trusts mother
60-75% of infants in uk

Question 7

insecure avoidant

Answer 7

doesn’t trust mother
20-25% of infants in uk

Question 8

insecure resistant

Answer 8

unbothered about attachment
3% of infants in uk

Question 9

how each type of attachment reacts to for categories (low, high etc)
WILLING TO EXPLORE

Answer 9

secure: low, return to mother
insecure avoidant: high
insecure resistant: high

Question 10

how each type of attachment reacts to for categories (low, high etc)
SEPERATION ANXIETY

Answer 10

secure: high
insecure avoidant: moderate, unbothered
insecure resistant: low, cry constantly and not calmed by mothers return

Question 11

how each type of attachment reacts to for categories (low, high etc)
STRANGER ANXIETY

Answer 11

secure: distressed
insecure avoidant: unbothered
insecure resistant: mixed response

Question 12

how each type of attachment reacts to for categories (low, high etc)
REUNION BEHAVUOUR

Answer 12

secure: enthusiastic
insecure avoidant: avoids contact
insecure resistant: seeks then rejects

Question 13

AO3 weakness (sample)

Answer 13

• used 100 middle class American infants + mothers
• cant be applied to rest of the world
• wealthier people may afford nannies, alter mother baby attachment
• collectivist cultures may have weaker attachments to just mother, attachment shared
• low population validity

Question 14

AO3 weakness (setting)

Answer 14

• lab study
• doesn’t reflect how infant would react to conditions in everyday life
• infant placed in a lab, clinical setting and unfamiliar environment which could cause more distress
• low ecological validity

Question 15

AO3 strength

Answer 15

• predictive validity
• attachment type can be used to predict future development
• secure babies tend to have better success at school + longer lasting relationships
• insecure resistant associated with bullying + mental health
• can use to establish preventatives