Strange Situations

Question 1

What is Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 1

A controlled observation assessing the quality of caregiver-infant attachment

Developed by Mary Ainsworth in 1969.

Question 2

What is the predictive validity of attachment type in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 2

High predictive validity - attachment type linked to later outcomes

Question 3

What is the inter-rater reliability score for Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 3

0.94

Indicates strong agreement among observers regarding attachment types (Bick et al., 2012).

Question 4

What infant reactions are recorded in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 4

Separation anxiety, reunion behaviour, stranger anxiety, proximity seeking, exploration/secure base behaviour

Question 5

How many episodes are in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 5

Seven episodes, approximately 22 minutes total

Question 6

What are the three types of attachment identified in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 6

• Avoidant - Type A (22%)
• Secure - Type B (66%)
• Resistant - Type C (12%)

Question 7

Describe the characteristics of an Avoidant attachment (Type A).

Answer 7

Explores freely, no secure base, little or no separation and stranger anxiety, does not require comfort

Question 8

Describe the characteristics of a Secure attachment (Type B).

Answer 8

Secure base, moderate separation and stranger anxiety, easily comforted by mother

Question 9

Describe the characteristics of a Resistant attachment (Type C).

Answer 9

Explores less, seeks proximity, considerable stranger and separation anxiety, resists comfort when reunited

Question 10

What is a significant real-world application of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 10

Circle of Security Project

Developed by Cooper et al. in 2005.

Question 11

What cultural consideration is associated with Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 11

Behaviours have different meanings outside of US/Europe

For example, Japanese mothers value clinginess.

Question 12

What confounding variable may influence behaviour in the Strange Situation?

Answer 12

Role of temperament

Kagan suggests genetically influenced personality may be more important than parenting style.

Question 13

What did Main & Weston find regarding internal validity in Ainsworth’s Strange Situation?

Answer 13

Children’s behaviour can vary depending on which parent is present

Question 14

What is a limitation of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation regarding attachment types?

Answer 14

There are other attachment types, such as Type D

Identified by Main & Solomon and Van Ijzendoorn et al. (1999).

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The Strange Situation is a _______ observation assessing caregiver-infant attachment.

Answer 15

[controlled]