Types of Attachment

Question 1

‘Strange Situation’

Answer 1

• Aim: How infants behave under conditions of mild stress.
• Sample: 106, American middle-class infants (aged 9-18 months) –> culture bias.
• Procedure took place in lab playroom –> low ecological validity.
• Group of researchers observe infant through procedure - record behaviour every 15 secs –> time sampling (could miss certain behaviours).

Question 2

The ‘Strange Situation’ - 5 Categories to Judge

Answer 2

1) Ainsworth & Bell developed the SS as a method to assess the quality of a baby’s attachment to CG.
2) A controlled lab observation - with 2-way mirror for psychs to observe behaviour.

5 categories to judge attachment quality:
1) Proximity-seeking –> well-attached babies stay close to CG
2) Exploration & Secure-base behaviour –> baby confident to explore using CG as point of safety.
3) Stranger Anxiety –> displayed by well-attached babies
4) Separation Anxiety –> displayed by well-attached babies
5) Response to reunion –> well-attached babies are enthusiastic.

Question 3

The ‘SS’ - Procedure

Answer 3

Procedure has 7 episodes lasting 3 mins each.
1) Stranger introduces mother & baby to room & leaves
2) Mother & child left alone
3) Stranger returns & talks to CG
4) Caregiver leaves, Stranger tries to interact alone with baby
5) Caregiver returns to greet & comfort baby, Stranger leaves
6) Caregiver leaves baby alone
7) Stranger returns & tries to interact with baby
8) Caregiver returns, greets & picks up child, Stranger leaves

Question 4

The ‘SS’ - Findings

Answer 4

Found distinct patterns in the way babies behaved & identified 3 main types of attachment:
1) Insecure-Avoidant
2) Secure Attachment
3) Insecure Resistant

Question 5

Insecure-Avoidant

Answer 5

Type A: 20-25% of British toddlers
1) Baby explores freely but doesn’t seek proximity (no secure base).
2) Shows little/no separation & stranger anxiety.
3) Avoids contact at reunion stage.

Question 6

Secure Attachment

Answer 6

Type B: 60-75% of Brit toddlers
1) Baby happy to explore but seeks proximity to CG (secure base).
2) Moderate separation & stranger anxiety.
3) Requires & accepts comfort from CG on reunion.

Question 7

Insecure-Resistant

Answer 7

Type C: 3% of Brit toddlers
1) Baby explores less & seeks greater proximity.
2) Shows high separation & stranger anxiety.
3) Resists comfort when reunited with CG.

Question 8

Strength of ‘SS’

Answer 8

GOOD PREDICTIVE VALIDITY

1) Attachment types predict later development - e.g. secure babies have greater success at school & insecure-resistant is associated with bad outcomes (bullying, adult mental health problems) —-> This shows the validity because it can predict future outcomes.

Question 9

Strength of ‘SS’

Answer 9

GOOD INTER-RATER RELIABILITY

1) Different observers watching the same babies typically agree on attachment type —> could be because ‘SS’ is under controlled conditions & because behavioural categories are easy to observe.
2) SO, we can be confident that attachment type of a baby identified in ‘SS’ doesn’t just depend on who is observing them –> more reliable.

Question 10

Limitation of ‘SS’

Answer 10

CULTURE BIAS

1) Study may not have same meaning in countries outside US & Europe –> cultural differences in children’s experiences mean they respond differently e.g. Japanese babies show anxiety because they aren’t used to being left by CG (Takahashi) —> SO, it is difficult to know is ‘SS’ is measuring in some countries/cultures.

Question 11

Extra Evaluation - Type D

Answer 11

1) Main & Solomon identified a fourth category of attachment - disorganised, mix of resistant & avoidant behaviours –> but Type D babies are unusual & have experienced some form of severe neglect/abuse.
2) SO, Ainsworth’s classification is adequate as a description of normal variations of attachment.