Types of Attachment

Question 1

ainsworths ‘strange situation’

Answer 1

designed to measure the security of attachment a baby displays towards a caregiver. takes place in a room with quite controlled conditions with a two way mirror and/or cameras through which psychologists can observe then babys behaviour.

Question 2

behaviours used to judge attachment:

Answer 2

proximity-seeking- a baby with a good quality attachment will stay faily close to a caregiver
exploration and secure-base behaviour- good attachment enables a baby to feel confident exploring. using their carefiver as a secure base
stranger anxiety- display of anxiety when a stranger approaches
separation anxiety- protest at separation from the caregiver
response to reunion babies with secure attachments greet the car3egivers return with pleasure and seek comfort

Question 3

strange situation- procedure

Answer 3

1. the baby is encouraged to explore -tests exploration and secure base
2. a stranger comes in, talks to the caregiver and approaches the baby- tests stranger anxiety.
3. the caregiver leaves the baby and stranger alone- tests separation and stranger anxiety.
4. the caregiver returns and the stranger leaves- tests reunion behaviour and exploration/secure base
5. the caregiver leaves the baby alone- tests separation anxiety
6. the stranger returns- tests stranger anxiety
7. the caregiver returns and is reunited with the baby- tests reunion behaviour

Question 4

stange situation: findings - types of attachment 1

Answer 4

secure attachment (type B) explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver. they usually show moderate separation distress and moderate stranger anxiety. require and accept comfort from caregiver at the reunion stage. 60-75% of british babies are classified as secure

Question 5

strange situation: findings -types of attachment 2

Answer 5

insecure avoidant (type A)- explore happily freely but dont seek proximity or show secure-base behaviour. show little to no reaction when their caregiver leaves and little stranger anxiety. when caregiver returns may even avoid contact. 20-25% of british babies are classified as insecure-avoidant

Question 6

strange situation: findings- types of attachment 3

Answer 6

insecure- resistant attachment (type C)- seeks greater prximity than others and so explore less. show high levels of stranger and separation anxiety but resist comfort when reunited with their caregiver. 3% of british babies are classified as insecure-resistant.