Ainsworth and the strange situation Flashcards
Stages of the strange situation:
Child alone with their carer- how does he behave
Carer leaves the room: does he show anxiety
A stranger enters and tries to talk to and play with the baby: how does the baby respond
The carer returns: how does the child behave.
Securely attached babies response to the strange situation
Alone with mother: child explores and plays using the carer as a safe base
Mother leaves: child shows moderate distress and cries a bit and follows carer
Stranger enters: moderate stranger anxiety
Reunion: child is easily comforted, stops crying quickly and pleased to see carer
Insecure avoidant child’s response to strange situation
Alone with mother: doesn’t attempt to interact with carer
Mother leaves: child shows little distress
Stranger enters: low stranger anxiety
Reunion: may not even notice she’s returned
Insecure resistant child’s response to strange situation
Alone with mother: child doesn’t explore but clings to mother
Carer leaves the room: child shows lots of distress
Stranger enter: high stranger anxiety
Reunion: child is very hard to comfort by carer and continues to cry.
Securely attached parent behaviour
She’s emotionally available, supportive, and sensitive to the child’s needs so the child feels confident.
Insecure avoidant attached child’s parent behaviour
- she’s rejecting of the child, the carer consistently fails to respond to the child’s needs or she often gets angry with the child or pushes them away when they’re upset.
Insecure resistant attached child’s parents behaviour
- she’s inconsistent in how she reacts to the child, as she may act in a loving way one second but angry and rejecting the next. The child doesn’t know what to expect.
Ainsworth and bell (1970)
- 100 middle class American infants (12-18 months)
- observational method Doing the strange situation.
Found- 66% secure, 22% avoidant, 12% resistant.
