Types of attachment

Question 1

What was Ainsworht’s aim?

Answer 1

to be able to observe attachment behaviours as a means of assessing the quality of a baby’s attachment to a caregiver

Question 2

Describe Ainsworth’s procedure

Answer 2

• controlled observation
• two way mirror
  behaviours used to judge attachment:
• proximity seeking
  exploration and secure-base behaviour
• stranger/separation anxiety
• response to reunion

Question 3

Describe the seven episodes tested

Answer 3

beginning- caregiver and baby enter an unfamiliar playroom
1. Baby is encouraged to explore
tests exploration and secure base
2. A stranger comes in talks to caregiver + approaches baby
tests stranger anxiety
3. Caregiver leaves the baby and stranger together
tests separation+stranger anxiety
4. Caregiver returns and stranger leaves
*tests reunion behaviour & exploration&
5. Caregiver leaves the baby alone
tests separation anxiety
6. stranger returns
tests stranger anxiety
7. Caregiver returns and is reunited with baby
tests reunion behaviour

Question 4

What did Ainsworth define as secure attachment?

Answer 4

babies explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver

usually show moderate separation distress

moderate stranger anxiety anxiety

require&accept comfort from the caregiver in the reunion stage

60-75% British babies

Question 5

What did Ainsworth describe as insecure-avoidant attachment?

Answer 5

babies explore freely, but don’t seek proximity or show secure-base behaviour

little/no reaction when CG leaves

little stranger anxiety

may avoid contact when stranger returns

20-25% British babies

Question 6

What did Ainsworth describe as insecure-resistant attachment?

Answer 6

babies seek greater proximity and explore less

high levels of stranger & separation anxiety

resist comfort when reunited with CG

3% British babies

Question 7

Describe the Generalisability of Ainsworth’s study (-)

Answer 7

Findings may not be generalisable across different cultural contexts

This study was developed in UK and USA, initially 100 middle-class American infants and mothers

Sample does not represent individuals of different class, ethnicity, gender

Question 8

Describe the Reliability of this study (+)

Answer 8

High inter-rater reliability

Bick et al tested reliability and found an agreement on attachment type in 94% cases

procedure takes place in controlled conditions

easy to observe and doesn’t depend on subjective judgement

Question 9

Describe how this study can be applied today (+)

Answer 9

We can target intervention strategies towards children who have insecure attachment

this would improve children’s attachments later on in life, improving society morally and economically

Question 10

Describe the validity of this study

Answer 10

high validity because its outcomes predict a number of aspects of baby’s later development
*therefore the strange situation is a valid measure of attachment and development

Question 11

Describe the ethics of this study

Answer 11

this study is unethical
children are separated from caregivers and presented with strangers
this could therfore potentially be psychologically distressing