ainsworth attachment

Question 1

aim of the study

Answer 1

to observe attachment security in children within context of caregiver relationship

Question 2

who were the participants

Answer 2

100 middle classed american families and their infants of 9-18 months

Question 3

how many stages were in the method

Answer 3

8

Question 4

8 stages were:

Answer 4

1 +2. mum and infant go into room to get used to it before the obs. begins

3. mum is in the room and stranger enters
4. mum leaves and stranger tries to interact with the infant
5. mum returns (reunion behaviour is recorded)
6. mum leaves the room and the infant is left alone (separation anxiety is recorded)
7. instead of the mum the stranger returns (stranger anxiety is recorded
8. mum re enters the room and stranger leaves (reunion behaviour is recorded)

Question 5

key findings

Answer 5

ainsworth identified 3 types of attachment

1. secure
2. avoidant (insecure)
   3.resistant (insecure)

Question 6

how did ainsworth believe attachments were formed

Answer 6

by early childhood experiences and affect individuals relationships and behaviour for the rest of their lives

Question 7

separation anxiety in secure attachment

Answer 7

distress

Question 8

separation anxiety in avoidant attachment

Answer 8

none

Question 9

separation anxiety in resistant attachment

Answer 9

extreme distress

Question 10

stranger anxiety in secure attachment

Answer 10

avoidant when alone
friendly when mum is present

Question 11

stranger anxiety in avoidant attachment

Answer 11

okay with strangers and plays normally

Question 12

stranger anxiety in resistant attachment

Answer 12

avoid stranger and shows fear

Question 13

reunion behaviour in secure attachment

Answer 13

positive and happy

Question 14

reunion behaviour in resistant attachment

Answer 14

approaches but resists contact

Question 15

reunion behaviour in avoidant attachment

Answer 15

the infant shows little interest

Question 16

percentage of kids that have secure attachment

Answer 16

70%

Question 17

percentage of kids that have resistant attachment

Answer 17

15%

Question 18

percentage of kids that have avoidant attachment

Answer 18

15%

Question 19

secure attachment

Answer 19

• attachment figure is available to meet needs

-easily soothed

-developed by parents being sensitive and respondent to their needs

-positive working model

Question 20

insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 20

• unconcerned when mothers absent
• think themselves unworthy and unacceptable caused by a rejecting primary caregiver
• (ignore emotional needs

Question 21

contribution to psychology

Answer 21

ainsworth’s findings provided the first empirical evidence for bowlby’s theory of internal working model of attachment relationships

Question 22

criticisms/ limitations of the study

Answer 22

the procedure is culturally biased

low population validity

Question 23

hows the procedure is culturally biased

Answer 23

the study is based on the US values and US families so it doesn’t correlate to other cultures

Question 24

how does the procedure have low population validity

Answer 24

the sample was 100 middle classed american families so it is unlikely that the findings can represent the wider population

Question 25

what is the cross cultural patterns of attachment called

Answer 25

Ijzendoorm and kroonenburg

Question 26

what is the aim of Ijzendoorm and kroonenburg

Answer 26

to investigate how attachment works in different cultures

Question 27

what are the 2 type of different cultures

Answer 27

individualist and collectivist

Question 28

what are characteristics of individualist cultures

Answer 28

- value independence -work towards own goals -'I' - don't rely on others - rules aimed at freedom and economic independence

Question 29

what are characteristics of collectivist cultures

Answer 29

- value cooperation - work towards family goals - what is best for the nation - rights of the group of individuals - community - rules and obedience

Question 30

what type of attachment is most common is all cultures

Answer 30

secure

Question 31

which culture had the highest secure attachment

Answer 31

Great Britain

Question 32

which culture had the lowest secure attachment

Answer 32

China

Question 33

what type of cultures are individualist

Answer 33

Western like USA and europe

Question 34

what type of cultures are collectivist

Answer 34

Eastern like Japan and Israel

Question 35

what attachment do individualist cultures show high levels of

Answer 35

anxious avoidant (parents seek non clingy, independent children)

Question 36

what attachment do collectivist cultures show high levels of

Answer 36

resistant (parents are used to being away from mothers but are not used to strangers and don't like being left alone with them)

Question 37

conclusion of Ijzendoorm and kroonenburg

Answer 37

- there may be universal characteristics on how infants and mothers interact but they are limited.