Types of attachment

Question 1

Ainsworth’s strange situation - procedure

Answer 1

Combined the results of several Strange Situation studies. Total of 106 middle-class American infants and their mothers. 
They observed infants with their mothers in a research room during a set of predetermined activities.

Question 2

Ainsworth’s strange situation - examples of behaviours looked for

Answer 2

Exploration behaviour - the infants willingness to explore
Stranger anxiety - unease the infant showed when encountering a stranger
Separation anxiety - unease the infant showed when left by the caregiver
Reunion behaviour - the way the caregiver was greeted on return

Question 3

Ainsworth's strange situation - findings 
Secure attachment (type B)

Answer 3

66% of infants 
High stranger anxiety 
Some easy to soothe when encountering a stranger 
Happy to explore the room 
Positive reunion behaviour

Question 4

Ainsworth’s strange situation - findings

Insecure-avoidant attachment (type A)

Answer 4

22% of infants
Low stranger anxiety
Not concerned when encountering a stranger
Did not use parent as a secure base when exploring the room
Little interest in reunion with caregiver - avoids contact

Question 5

Ainsworth’s strange situation - findings

Insecure-resistant attachment (type C)

Answer 5

12% of infants
High stranger anxiety
Intense distress when encountering a stranger
Didn’t explore the room
Seeks and rejects the caregiver during reunion

Question 6

Ainsworth’s strange situation - conclusion

Answer 6

Significant individual differences between infants
Most American children are securely attached
Mother’s behaviour is important in determining attachment type

Question 7

Ainsworth’s strange situation - evaluation

Answer 7

High reliability - easy to replicate as it was conducted in a controlled setting
Low population validity - only middle class Americans tested. Richer people might have nannies so the mothers have less of an attachment to their child
Medium ecological validity - Infants could be more comfortable playing alone or somewhere they recognise. Could be applied to first day of nursery but mothers wouldn’t usually leave their kids on their own