Strange Situation

Question 1

Ainsworth study

Answer 1

Structured observations to measure quality of attachment
8 pre-determined stages including:
- Mother leaving room for short while
- Play with available toys
- Alone with stranger
- Mother returning

Question 2

Criteria of how attachment measured

Answer 2

• Separation anxiety
• Reunion behaviour
• Stranger anxiety
• Willingness to explore
• Observed through 1 way mirror

Question 3

Categories

Answer 3

Childs internal working model
. Secure = positive and loved
. Avoidant = unloved and rejected
. Resistant = angry and confused

Question 4

Results of study

Answer 4

From 100 infants studied
- 70% secure
- 15% avoidant insecure
- 15% insecure resistant

Results highlight role of mothers behaviour in determining quality of attachment

Question 5

Conclusion of study

Answer 5

Mothers behaviour towards infant predicts attachment type

Question 6

Strengths (Eval)

Answer 6

Replicable = research highly operationalised due to specific 4 categories Ainsworth used

Question 7

Weaknesses (Eval)

Answer 7

. Low population validity = 100 MC American mothers and infants

. Categories not always applicable = Main and Cassidy - infants don’t always fit into 3 categories

. Culturally Biased = designed by American according to observations in US kids - eurocentric

Question 8

What were the characteristics of secure attachment

Answer 8

Infants use their caregiver as a secure base to explore the environment, show some distress during separation
but are easily comforted upon reunion.
They show positive emotions and engagement with both caregiver and stranger.

Question 9

What were the characteristics of insecure avoidant attachment

Answer 9

Infants show little to no distress during separation,
. avoid or show minimal interaction with the caregiver upon reunion,
They primarily focus on exploring the environment, suggesting limited reliance on the caregiver for emotional support.

Question 10

What were the characteristics of insecure resistant attachment

Answer 10

Infants show extreme distress during separation,
become clingy and demanding upon reunion,
. may show anger or ambivalence towards the caregiver.
They exhibit difficulty exploring the environment due to heightened separation anxiety.