the strange situation- Ainsworth 1969

Question 1

what was the aim?

Answer 1

to be able to observe key attachment behaviors as a means of assessing the quality if a child’s attachment to a carer

Question 2

what was the experiment?

Answer 2

a controlled observation that measures the security of a child’s attachment towards its carer

Question 3

what behaviors were judged?

Answer 3

proximity seeking, exploration, secure-base, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, response on reunion

Question 4

how long did each stage last?

Answer 4

3 mins

Question 5

what was stage 1?

Answer 5

the mother encouraged the child to explore

Question 6

what did stage 1 test?

Answer 6

exploration and secure base

Question 7

what was stage 2?

Answer 7

a stranger enters and tries to interact with the child

Question 8

what did stage 2 test?

Answer 8

stranger anxiety

Question 9

what was stage 3?

Answer 9

the carer leaves the infant with the stranger

Question 10

what did stage 3 test?

Answer 10

stranger and separation anxiety

Question 11

what was stage 4?

Answer 11

the carer return and the stranger leaves

Question 12

what did stage 4 test?

Answer 12

reunion behavior

Question 13

what was stage 5?

Answer 13

the carer leaves

Question 14

what did stage 5 test?

Answer 14

separation anxiety

Question 15

what was stage 6?

Answer 15

the stranger returns

Question 16

what did stage 6 test?

Answer 16

stranger anxiety

Question 17

what was stage 7?

Answer 17

the stranger left and the carer returned

Question 18

what did stage 7 test?

Answer 18

behavior on reunion

Question 19

what type of sampling does the experiment use?

Answer 19

time sampling every 15 seconds

Question 20

what were the overall finding?

Answer 20

there are 3 types of attachment:
60-75% secure attachment
20-25% insecure-avoidant attachment
3% insecure resistant attachment

Question 21

which attachment is type A?

Answer 21

insecure-avoidant

Question 22

what attachment is type B?

Answer 22

secure

Question 23

which attachment is type C?

Answer 23

insecure-resistant

Question 24

what behavior do type B infants demonstrate?

Answer 24

explore and regularly secure base
moderate stranger and separation anxiety
require and accept comfort on reunion

Question 25

what behavior do type A infants demonstrate?

Answer 25

exploration but no secure-base
little/no separation or stranger anxiety
little/no behavior towards carer on reunion

Question 26

what behavior do type C infants demonstrate?

Answer 26

no exploration
major separation and stranger anxiety
resist comfort on reunion

Question 27

why does the concept have good validity?

Answer 27

as babies who have secure attachment go on to have better out comes where those who are insecure-resistant go on to have worse outcomes (Kokkinos) and mental health problems (ward et al)

Question 28

what about the validity of this observation?

Answer 28

there is good control of extraneous variables, however the may be demand characteristics and participant variables and temperance may be measured instead on anxiety and behavior

Question 29

what about the ecological reliability?

Answer 29

it is a culture bound test as children from different cultures will respond different

Question 30

what limitations do Main and Solomon bring up?

Answer 30

a minority of children display disorganized attachment which is of type A,B or C but instead a mix of resistant or aviodent

Question 31

what implications do the findings have?

Answer 31

the type of attachment a child has to their mother will effect their future life