Types of Attachment

Question 1

who created the stange situation ?

Answer 1

Mary Ainsworth

Question 2

what was the aim of the strange situation ?

Answer 2

investigate the security of a childs attachmentto it’s caregiver

Question 3

what was the procedure for the strange situation ?

Answer 3

• controlled observation with a 2 way mirror of 9-18mnth infants
• 8 episodes lasting approx 3 mins
• assesed stranger anxiety, seperation anxiety,reunion behaviour, secure base behaviour
• time sampling behaviour recorded every 15s

Question 4

what were the 3 attachment types identified ?

Answer 4

1. type B - secure
2. type C - insecure resistant
3. type A - insecure avoidant

Question 5

how did secure infants react to seperation anxiety

Answer 5

distressed when the mother leaves

Question 6

how did secure infants react to stranger anxiety

Answer 6

• avoidant of the stranger when alone
• friendly when the mother is present

Question 7

how did secure infants react to reunion behaviour

Answer 7

• positive and happy when the mother returns
• puts hands up to reach for mum

Question 8

how did resistant infants react to seperation anxiety

Answer 8

intense distress when the mother leaves

Question 9

how did resisitant infants react to stranger anxiety

Answer 9

the infants avoids and shows fear of the stranger

Question 10

how did resistant infants react to reunion behaviour

Answer 10

infant approaches the mother but resists contact and may try to push her away

Question 11

how did avoidant infants react to seperation anxiety

Answer 11

no signs of distress when the mother leaves

Question 12

how did avoidant infants react to stanger anxiety

Answer 12

the infant is okay with the stranger and plays normally when the stranger is present

Question 13

how did avoidant infants react to reunion behaviours

Answer 13

the infant shows littles interest when the mother returns

Question 14

what % of infants were classified as secure ?

Answer 14

70%

Question 15

what % of inants were classified as resistant ?

Answer 15

15%

Question 16

what % of inants were classified as avoidant ?

Answer 16

15%

Question 17

what can be concluded from the strange situation

Answer 17

• a childs attachment type is dependent on the behaviour their caregiver shows towards them
• mothers who sensitively respond to their infants will have securely attached children
• mothers who respond less sensitively will have insecurely attached children

Question 18

A strength of the strange situation

relaible

Answer 18

I: strange situation is a reliable measure of attachment types
E: procedure is well standardised (all infants did the same 8 episodes in the same order). the procedure is highly controlled - observers all agree on how to classify infants
C: procedure can be easily replicated and has good inter-rater reliability

Question 19

A weakness of the strange situation

ecological

Answer 19

I: the procedure has low ecological validity
E: it takes place in an unfamilular enviroment and situation ,and therefore is artifical and unlike real life. babies may beclassifed as type c just becuse they cried more
C: may not be able to generalise the results of the SS to real life

Question 20

A weakness of the strange situation

ethical

Answer 20

I: procedure has some ethical issues which prevent replications
E: involves seperating infants from their caregivers while in a strange enviroment - can cause significant distress, especially if infants are type C
C: the procedure may not be adhearing to guidlines regarding protection from harm and should not be conducted