The strange situation

Question 1

Procedure

Answer 1

• Controlled observation through a two way mirror
• 5 key behaviours observed (and scored for intensity on a scale of 1-7)
• Behaviours obsessed over a series of episodes lasting 3 mins

Question 2

Behaviours observed

Answer 2

• Proximity seeking
• Exploration and secure base behaviour
• Stranger anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Response to reunion

Question 3

3 attachment types

Answer 3

• Secure (B): 66%
• Insecure avoidant (A): 22%
• Insecure resistant (C): 12%

Question 4

Describe secure attachment

Answer 4

• Explore happily but regularly return to secure base
• Moderate separation/stranger anxiety
• Seek comfort upon reunion
• Parents = emotionally available, consistent, loving and nurturing

Question 5

Describe insecure avoidant

Answer 5

• Explore but no secure base behaviour, no stranger/separation anxiety, do not seek comfort upon reunion
• Parents = emotionally unavailable, encourage premature independence

Question 6

Describe insecure resistant

Answer 6

• Extreme separation and stranger anxiety, explore less, resist comfort upon reunion
• Parenting = inconsistent and unpredictable: both responsive and unavailable

Question 7

Evaluation

Answer 7

• Main and Solomon: 4th type = disorganised. Ainsworth incomplete

+ Bick et al: 94% interobserver reliability - controlled conditions and operationalised behavioural categories

+ McCormick - can predict later social behaviour, Ward - can predict later MH

• Culture bias: Takahashi - high proportion of Japanese children classed as insecure resistant - not due to attachment quality but due to culture where separation is rare