The Strange Situation

Question 1

What was the research aim?

Answer 1

To know if children differ in the ways they bond, and if so, why.

Question 2

What was the method?

Answer 2

• The primary caregiver and the infant are placed in a room together.
• The caregiver and infant spend alone time in a room, with toys present.
• After the infant has had time to explore, a stranger enters the room.
• The caregiver leaves the infant with the stranger.
• After a few minutes the caregiver returns to comfort their infant.
• Ainsworth identified the infant as either secure, avoidant or resistant based on how the infant responded to the seperation and reunion.

Question 3

What are criticisms of the Strange Situation?

Answer 3

• A child’s temperament may have a strong influence on attachment.
• Attachment varies from culture to culture and was not accounted for.

Question 4

What are the qualities of a secure attachment?

Answer 4

• The infant prefers their parent.
• The attachment figure is used as a secure base to explore the environment.
• The attachment figure is sought out in times of stress.
• Has caregivers who are sensitive and responsive to their needs.

Question 5

What are the qualities of an avoidant attachment?

Answer 5

• The infant is unresponsive to the parent.
• Doesn’t use the attachment as a secure base.
• Has caregivers who are insensitive and inattentive to their needs.

Question 6

What are the qualities of a resistant attachment?

Answer 6

• Tends to display clingy behaviour.
• Rejects the attachment figure’s attempts to interact with them.
• Has caregivers who are inconsistent in their level of response to their needs.

Question 7

How did infants with a secure attachment behave in the Strange Situation?

Answer 7

• Distressed when their caregiver left the room.
• When their caregiver returned they were happy to see them.

Question 8

How did infants with an avoidant attachment behave in the Strange Situation?

Answer 8

• Reacts to the caregiver the same way they react to the stranger.
• When the caregiver returns the child is slow to show a positive reaction.

Question 9

How did infants with a resistant attachment behave in the Strange Situation?

Answer 9

• Don’t explore the toys in the room because they’re too fearful.
• They become extremely disturbed and angry during seperation.
• When the caregiver returns, they are difficult to comfort.