Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Observe key attachment behaviours and asses quality of attachment

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

Takes place in laboratory with 2 way mirror through which psychologists can observe baby’s behaviour.

Question 3

Behaviours

Answer 3

Proximity seeking: infant with good attachment will stay close to caregiver

Exploration and secure base behaviour: child feels confident to explore using caregiver as secure base

Stranger anxiety

Separation anxiety

Response to reunion: under controlled conditions

Question 4

7 Episodes (Lasting 3 mins)

Answer 4

Child is encouraged to explore : Tests exploration & …

Stranger comes in, interacts with child : Stranger anxiety

Caregiver leaves child & stranger together : Sep & Str

Caregiver is back & stranger leaves : Reunion & Explor…

Caregiver leaves child alone :
Separation anxiety

Stranger is back : Stranger anxiety

Caregiver is back : Reunion behaviour

Question 5

Findings

Answer 5

Identified 3 main types of attachment:

Secure attachment (60-75%): Explore happily but regularly go back to caregiver (prox seeking & secure base). Show moderate separation distress & moderate stranger anx. Require & accept comfort from caregiver at reunion.

Insecure-avoidant attachment (20-25%): Explore freely but dont seek proximity or show secure base. Show little reaction when caregiver leaves & make little contact when they come back. Show little stranger anxiety. Require no comfort at reunion.

Insecure-resistant (3%): Seek greater proximity & explore less. Show separation & stranger distress but resist comfort when reunited.

Question 6

Strength

Answer 6

Support for validity. Babies assessed as secure have a good life ahead. Evidence for validity of concept because it can explain subsequent outcomes.

Question 7

Strength

Answer 7

Good reliability. Takes place under controlled conditions & behavioural categories are observable. Doesn’t depend on who is observing them.

Question 8

Weakness (Takahashi)

Answer 8

Test may be culture bound. Doesn’t have same meaning in countries outside western Europe. Cultural differences in childhood experiences respond different to SS. Caregivers also behave different. He said this exp doesn’t work in Japan as mothers and children are rarely separated. In reunion mothers would rush to hug them and so its hard to observe child’s response.

Question 9

Weakness (Kagan)

Answer 9

Temperament could be the influence on behaviour in SS than attachment. Temperament may be the confounding variable

Question 10

Weakness (Main & Solomon)

Answer 10

One more attachment type. He stated that minority of children could be a mix of resistant and avoidant: disorganised attachment.