The strange situation Flashcards
(25 cards)
Procedure of strange situation
Controlled observation of 100 middle class Americans consisting of recording their responses to different 3 minute episodes
What are the three types of attachment
Secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant
What is separation anxiety
Expressing distress when seperating from a caregiver
What is stranger anxiety
Distress in the presence of an unfamiliar adult
What is willingness to explore
Whether a child feels willing to explore with their caregiver as a secure base
What is reunion behaviour
How the child reacts when reunited with the caregiver
What 4 behaviours were measures in the strange situation
Separation anxiety
stranger anxiety
willingness to explore
reunion behaviour
Separation and stranger anxiety of secure
Moderate
Separation and stranger anxiety of avoidant
Low
Separation and stranger anxiety of resistant
High
Reunion behaviour of secure
Joyful
Reunion behaviour of avoidant
Unjoyful
Reunion behaviour of resistant
Unjoyful
Willingness to explore of secure
Willing
Reunion behaviour of avoidant
Willing
Reunion behaviour of resistant
Not willing
Percentage of avoidant babies
22%
Percentage of secure babies
66%
Percentage of resistant babies
12%
Cultural bias of strange situation
Done in America, reflecting their norms, which only reflects western cultures and labels collectivist cultures as abnormal
Questions on what the strange situation actually measures
Can measure infant temperament and genetically inherited personality rather than their attachment. (Confounding variable)
Research finding 4th attachment type
Main and Solomon found disorganised attachment, a mix of avoidant and resistant
Strange situation predicting later life outcomes
Secure attachments more likely to have success in education, friendships and romance, while resistant are more likely to be bullied and have mental health problems.
Strength of strange situation method
High control over extraneous variables,
Open to replication
