types of attachment - Mary Ainsworth Flashcards
(14 cards)
when did Ainsworth conduct her ‘strange situation’
1970
what did strange situation test
the security of attachment a baby displays towards a caregiver
what behaviours were judged
(5)
proximity seeking
exploration and secure base behaviour
stranger anxiety
separation anxiety
reunion behaviour
procedure of strange situation
seven episodes
e.g. baby is encouraged to explore, baby alone with stranger, baby completely alone and baby reunited with caregiver
what were the three attachment types
secure
insecure-avoidant
insecure-resistant
secure attachment (type B)
babies explore happily but regularly go back to the caregiver
show proximity seeking and secure base behaviour
show moderate separation and stranger anxiety
accept comfort from caregiver upon reunion
how many babies were classes as securely attached
60-75%
insecure-avoidant attachment (type A)
explore freely but dont seek proximity or show a secure base
how little to no reaction when caregiver leaves and little stranger anxiety
make little effort to make contact at reunion
how many babies were classified as insecure-avoidant
20-25%
insecure-resistant attachment (type C)
seek greater proximity than others and explore less
show high levels of stranger and separation anxiety
resist comfort at reunion
AO3
+P: predicts aspects of baby’s later development in adulthood
Ward et al (2006)
found that securely attached babies go on to have better mental health in adulthood
+D: further supporting evidence
McCormick et al (2016)
found that children with secure attachments achieved better at school and had less involvement in bullying
+P: good inter rater reliability
Bick et al (2012)
found agreement on the attachment types in 94% of the cases
procedure has high control
-P: findings may be culture bound
procedure was developed in an individualistic culture
Takahashi found that in Japan there were high levels of separation anxiety
strange situation doesn’t apply outside of the US and UK
imposed etic
