Ainsworth and Bell

Question 1

what is the research method?

Answer 1

controlled observation (interaction between baby, mother, stranger through one way mirror)

Question 2

why is the lab setting important when investigating attachment?

Answer 2

cannot measure attachment in a familiar environment therefore cannot comment on ecological validity

Question 3

what was the sample?

Answer 3

56 participants from white middle class families (USA)
- 23 longitudinal cases (birth - 51 weeks)
- 33 experimental (49 weeks)
- mothers also took part = EV

Question 4

what was the sampling technique?

Answer 4

opportunity - contacted from paediatrician

Question 5

what are the key components to the ‘strange situation’?

Answer 5

• mother as a secure base for exploratory behaviour
• female stranger
• 8 episodes

Question 6

what is the room like?

Answer 6

• 9x9 ft square of clear space
• 16 squares = measure of movement (locomotion) = quantify exploratory behaviour
• toys
• chairs for stranger, mother, baby

Question 7

what is a summary of the 8 episodes?

Answer 7

1- m, b, o enter room and o leaves
2- m sits in chair after placing b in specified place - only play with b if asked (3 mins)
3- s enters quietly, talk to m for 1 min, gradual approach to b + mother leaves
4- i) if b playing s = non-participant ii) if b not playing s tries to interest iii) b distressed s comforts
5- m enters (renunion), s leaves, b settles, m leaves again “bye-bye”
6- b left alone for 3 mins if distressed ep stops
7- s reenters and recreates ep 4
8- m returns, s leaves, end

Question 8

what was the key point of interest for observers?

Answer 8

the reunion

Question 9

what were some key findings?

Answer 9

• all but 4/56 cried or searched during separation
• 32% cried and searched, 20% cried desperately, 37% cried minimally

Question 10

what does the differences in behaviour reflect?

Answer 10

different attachment styles
32% - securely attached
20% - anxiously attached
37% - avoidantly attached

Question 11

what are some conclusions?

Answer 11

• presence of the mother acts as a secure base and encourages exploratory behaviour in new and unfamiliar environments
• attachment behaviour is heightened in perceived threatening situations (new and unfamiliar)
• there are different attachment styles

Question 12

what were the inter-reliaibilty rates?

Answer 12

1. locomotor = 0.99
2. crying = 0.98
   Through the use of a 7 point rating scale and time sampling (15s)

Question 13

how were extraneous variables controlled?

Answer 13

the stranger was always a woman = no gender differences and the episodes were all 3 minutes (unless highly distressed then cut short)

Question 14

what are the strengths of the controlled observation?

Answer 14

• high control = replicable = reliable - easier to establish causality
• standardised procedure (x8 3 min episodes)

Question 15

why may the external validity be low?

Answer 15

• lacks ecological validity and mundane realism - most mothers wouldn’t leave their baby alone with a stranger
• lacks population validity - culture bias AND no fathers / any other caregiver other than mother AND only middle class - ethnocentrism

Question 16

is it longitudinal?

Answer 16

YES - some babies studied from birth to 50 weeks - 23/56 were longitudinal