Types of Attachment

Question 1

What happens in Ainsworth’s strange situation?

Answer 1

1. Child & caregiver enter unfamiliar playroom & left to explore (exploration & secure base)
2. Stranger interacts with infant (stranger anxiety)
3. Caregiver leaves (separation anxiety)
4. Caregiver returns (reunion behaviour)

Question 2

What was the aim of this study?

Answer 2

To see how infants 9-18 months behave under mild stress.

Question 3

What are the behaviours they’re observing?

Answer 3

1. proximity seeking - staying close to caregiver
2. exploration & secure base behaviour
3. stranger anxiety
4. separation anxiety
5. reunion behaviour

Question 4

What were the findings of this study?

Answer 4

1. Secure attachment - explore but regularly go back to caregiver, moderate stranger/separation anxiety, want comfort on reunion
2. Insecure avoidant - explore, don’t show secure base, low stranger/separation anxiety, ignore comfort on reunion
3. Insecure resistant - explore less, high stranger/separation anxiety, resist comfort on reunion