strange situation ao1 Flashcards
Who created the ‘Strange Situation’?
Ainsworth & Bell
What type of method was it?
Controlled observation
When was it carried out?
1970’s
What was the sample?
100 Middle-class American mothers and their infants
What were the 4 variables?
•Willingness to explore
•Separation anxiety
•Stranger anxiety
•Reunion behaviour
How long did each variable last?
3 minutes
What are the 7 episodes?
1 - Parent enters with infant. Infant explores.
2 - Stranger enters. Tries to interact with infant.
3 - Parent leaves stranger with infant.
4 - Parent returns. Stranger leaves.
5 - Parent leaves child alone
6 - Stranger returns.
7 - Parent returns and stranger leaves.
What are the three types of attachment found from Ainsworth’s study?
• Secure Attachment
• Insecure-avoidant Attachment
• Insecure-resistant Attachment
What percentage of infants showed secure attachment?
70%
What percentage of infants showed an insecure-avoidant attachment?
20%
What percentage of infants showed an insecure-resistant attachment?
10%
What are the 4 signs of a secure attachment?
• Willing to explore environment
• Upset/subdued when mother leaves (separation anxiety)
•Avoidant of stranger but friendly when mother is present (stranger anxiety)
• Positive/happy when mother returns
What type of caregiver is secure attachment associated with?
A responsive primary caregiver
What are the 4 signs of insecure-avoidant attachment?
• Willingness to explore
• Unconcerned by absence of mother
• Unconcerned and often avoidant of mother and strangers presence
• Unresponsive to mothers return
What type of caregiver is an insecure-avoidant attachment associated with?
An unresponsive caregiver
