types of attachment (strange situation) Flashcards
describe ainsworth’s study
aim was to determine the nature of attachment behaviors and styles of attachment. mother and child enter playroom together child allowed to explore, female stranger enters. talks to mother then child mother leaves while stranger is talking to child stranger interacts mother returns stranger leaves mother leaves child alone in room stranger returns alone with child mother returns for final time each episode lasts about 3 mins (or less if child becomes distressed). a video measures the childs behaviour in terms of seeking, maintaining, avoiding and resisting contact. Infants were aged between 12 and 18 months. The sample comprised about 100 middle class American families. Four categories of behaviors are measured and observed: (1) separation anxiety: the unease the infant shows when left by the caregiver, (2) the infant’s willingness to explore, (3) stranger anxiety: the infant’s response to the presence of a stranger, and (4) reunion behavior: the way the caregiver was greeted on return. The observer notes down the behavior displayed and scores the behavior for intensity on a scale 1 to 7. Findings- 70% secure, 20% insecure avoident, 10% insecure resistent
evaluate ainsworths study
Mary Ainsworth’s conclusion that the strange situation can be used to identify the child’s type of attachment has been criticized on the grounds that it identifies only the type of attachment to the mother. The child may have a different type of attachment to the father or grandmother. This means that it lacks validity, as it is not measuring a general attachment style, but instead an attachment style specific to the mother.
some research has shown that the same child may show different attachment behaviors on different occasions. Children’s attachments may change, perhaps because of changes in the child’s circumstances, so a securely attached child may appear insecurely attached if the mother becomes ill or the family circumstances change.
The strange situation has also been criticized on ethical grounds. Because the child is put under stress (separation and stranger anxiety), the study has broken the ethical guideline protection of participants.
However, in its defence the separation episodes were curtailed prematurely if the child became too stressed. Also, according to Marrone (1998), although the Strange Situation has been criticized for being stressful, it is simulating everyday experiences, as mothers do leave their babies for brief periods of time in different settings and often with unfamiliar people such as baby sitters.
The sample is biased -100 middle class American families. Therefore, it is difficult to generalize the findings outside of America and to working class families.
characteristics of secure attachment type
happy to explore and trusts mother not to leave, if the mother leaves the child will be distressed. they will engage with stranger but treat them differently to the mother. when the mother returns they will greet the mother and are quickly comforted.
Such children feel confident that the attachment figure will be available to meet their needs. They use the attachment figure as a safe base to explore the environment and seek the attachment figure in times of distress.
Securely attached infants are easily soothed by the attachment figure when upset. Infants develop a secure attachment when the caregiver is sensitive to their signals, and responds appropriately to their needs.
According to Bowlby (1980) an individual who has experienced a secure attachment “is likely to possess a representational model of attachment figures(s) as being available, responsive, and helpful”
characteristics of insecure avoident
willing to explore and ignores mother when present or not and shows little or no distress when mum leaves. they treat the stranger the same to the mother and ignores the mother at reunion.
Insecure avoidant children do not orientate to their attachment figure while investigating the environment.
They are very independent of the attachment figure both physically and emotionally.
They do not seek contact with the attachment figure when distressed. Such children are likely to have a caregiver who is insensitive and rejecting of their needs (Ainsworth, 1979). The attachment figure may withdraw from helping during difficult tasks and is often unavailable during times of emotional distress.
characteristics of insecure resistant
they are anxious and clingy to the mother and appears wary of being left. theyre extremely distressed when left and resists the strangers attempts to interact. when mother returns theyre ambivalent(mixed feelings) at reunion, they want comfort but then rejects mother when she goes to console.
why are there differences between childrens attachments
it all depends on their internal working model(beliefs and values and expectations) which is passed down from influential caregivers eg the mum. it all depends on her sensitivity and if she gives the child what it needs and when it needs it.
