Attatchment Essay Plans

Question 1

Outline and evaluate Ainsworth’s strange situation
6 AO1

Answer 1

• controlled observation to classify infant attachment styles
• 7 stages each lasting 2-3 mins
• infant observed in unfamiliar room, separated from and reuinited w caregiver, left w a stranger
• measures behaviour e.g separation, reunion, exploration etc
• secure most common (75%) , avoidant 20%, resistant 3%
• explain behaviours of each style

Question 2

Outline and evaluate Ainsworths strange situation
3 AO3

Answer 2

+ method used has high reliability. Strict controlled conditions. Multiple observers watching, 94% agreement between observers: high inter observer reliability
+ predictive for later development. Secured have better outcomes in many areas, insecure associated w worst outcomes e.g mental health. Good validity as it explains outcomes
- cultural bias. Theory and method developed based on western ideas, making it ethnocentric.

Question 3

Discuss Schaffer’s stages of attachment
6 AO1

Answer 3

• 60 Glasgow babies from working class families
• babies visited at home every month for first year, and again at 18 months
• researchers asked mothers questions about kind of protest babies showed in separations
• 50% of babies showed separation anxiety to particular adult
• by 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment
• asocial stage (first few weeks), indiscriminate (2-7 months), specific attachment (7 months) and multiple attachments (after)

Question 4

Discuss Schaffers stages of attachment (method)
3 AO3

Answer 4

+ good external validity in method. Carried out in own homes so pps behaved naturally while observed.
+ longitudinal design. Followed up and observed regularly so do not have issue of individual differences in pps
- limited sample characteristics. All families from same city and social class. Lack generalisability to other social and historical contexts