Types of Attachment (Ainsworth)

Question 1

Define the ‘Strange Situation,’ by Ainsworth

Answer 1

A controlled observation designed to test attachment security (1) where infants are assessed on… their response to playing in an unfamiliar room (2)…. being left alone by the parent (3)… being left with a stranger (4)… and reuniting with a caregiver (5)

Question 2

Define a secure attachment

Answer 2

A secure attachment is associated with healthy psychological outcomes (1)…. shows moderate stranger and separation anxiety (2) … ease of comfort at reunion (3)…

Question 3

Define insecure-avoidant attachment

Answer 3

An attachment characterized by low anxiety but weak attachment. In the Strange Situation, throughout the observations, the child would seem indifferent and show little response - avoidance

Question 4

Define insecure-resistant attachment

Answer 4

Characterized by strong attachment and high anxiety. In the Strange Situation there is a high separation and stranger anxiety and resistance to comfort

Question 5

Describe Ainsworth’s research (6 marks)

Answer 5

The aim of Mary Ainsworth’s ‘Strange Situation,’ was to observe key attachment behaviors (1) as a way of assessing quality of a child’s attachment to a caregiver(2) : (2 marks)

The controlled procedure is observed in a room with controlled conditions with a two-way mirror.
Behaviors judged included proximity seeking (1), where infant’s behavior is oriented towards the caregiver and is close to the caregiver

Exploration and secure-base behavior (2) where a child feels free to explore using the caregiver as a source of confidence

Stranger anxiety: one of the signs of becoming closely attached is a display of anxiety around strangers (3)

Separation anxiety: response on separation from caregiver (4)

Response to union: regulating emotions and behavior on return of caregiver (5)

Method
1. Child is encouraged to explore (tests exploration and secure base)
2. A stranger enters and interacts with child (tests stranger anxiety)
3. Caregiver leaves child and stranger together (tests reunion behavior and exploration/secure base)
4. Caregiver returns and stranger leaves (reunion behavior and exploration)
5. Caregiver leads the child alone (tests separation anxiety)
6. Stranger returns (tests stranger anxiety)
7. Caregiver returns and is reunited with child (reunion behavior)

Findings
Secure (B), Insecure Avoidant (A) , Insecure Resistant (C)