Types Of Attachment - Ainsworth Strange Situation

Question 1

Describe who investigated the types of attachment, what was their aim and sample?

Answer 1

Ainsworth conducted a controlled obsv of childrens att bhv using the strange situation classification tool (SSC) on 100 american infants and mothers.

Question 2

Summarise what Ainsworth did

Answer 2

Ainsworth obsv childs reaction using a two way mirror on the variables willingness to exp env, sep anx w mother, stranger anx and reunion bhv with mother

Question 3

Describe Ainsworths procedure

Answer 3

Ainsworth used 7 episodes, each lasting 3 mins
- parent enters room w child who then explores (w.t.e)
- stranger enters, tries interacting with child (str)
- parent leaves infant with stranger (str + sep)
- parent returns to infant, stranger leaves (r.b)
- parent leaves child alone (sep)
- stranger returns (str)
- parent returns and stranger leaves (r.b)

Question 4

What were Ainsworths findings?

Answer 4

She found three different types of attachments.
- 70% att were secure
- 20% att were insecure avoidant
- 10% att were insecure resistant

Question 5

Describe a secure attachment type

Answer 5

Responsive primary caregiver
- willingness to exp env - uses mother as secure base
- sep anx - upset when mum leaves
- str anx - avoidant of stranger but friendly when mum is present
- reunion bhv - happy when mum returns

Question 6

Describe an insecure avoidant attachment type

Answer 6

Unresponsive primary caregiver
- willing to exp env
- sep anx - unconcerned by mum leaving
- str anx - unconcerned, avoidant of mum and stranger
- reunion bhv - unresponsive when mum returns

Question 7

Describe an insecure resistant attachment type

Answer 7

Inconsistent primary caregiver
- low willingness to explore env
- sep anx - intensely distressed when mum leaves
- str anx - extreme fear of stranger
- reunion bhv - clinginess mixed with rejection

Question 8

What are three AO3 PEELS to evaluate Ainsworths types of attachment?

Answer 8

Weakness - lacks eco val
Strength - high in reliability
RTS by Van Ijzendoorn

Question 9

What AO1 do you use for the two diff essays you can get asked with this topic?

Answer 9

AInsworths Strange Situation - Intro, procedure, findings
Types of attachment - Secure, insecure avoidant, insecure resistant