Types of attatchment Flashcards
What was the aim of Ainsworth’s study?
Strange situation
Investigate key attachment behaviours as a means of assessing the quality of a child’s attachment to a caregiver
What was the method of Ainsworth’s study?
Sample consisted of 100 middle class American infants. Using a controlled observation procedure ( room with a two-way mirror) psychologists observed the infant’s behaviour.
Behavioural categories used to judge the type of caregiver-infant attachment included:
* Safe base behaviour – How physically close the infant stays to their caregiver / how much they independently explore
* Separation behaviour – How the infant responds to their caregiver leaving the room.
* Stranger anxiety – How the infant responds to the presence of a stranger in the room.
* Reunion behaviour – How the infant responds to their caregiver returning to the room.
Procedure had 8 stages lasting 3 minutes. They involved the infant being alone with the mother, the infant with the mother and a stranger, the infant alone with the stranger, or the infant by themselves.
What were the results of Ainsworth’s study
Type B (securely attached) 66%
Type A (insecure avoidant) 22%
Type C (resistant insecure) 12%
What was the conclusion of Ainsworth’s study?
There is a clear association between the mothers’ behaviour and the infants’ attachment type, which has been
termed the ‘Caregiver sensitivity hypothesis’:
What safe base behaviour is demonstrated by Securely attached (B) infant’s
stay fairly close to their
caregiver and will use their caregiver as a safe base whilst
exploring, returning
regularly.
What safe base behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure avoidant (A) infant’s
will move relatively far away
from their caregiver and will be very willing to explore
the room/investigate the toys
independently
What safe base behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure resistant (C) infant’s
will stay very close and in physical contact with their
caregiver and will not be willing to explore the room and will cling to their caregiver instead.
What Stranger anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Securely attached (B) infant’s
will be wary of the stranger and
move closer to their caregiver.
Moderate stranger
anxiety.
What Stranger anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure avoidant (A) infant’s
They will have very low stranger
anxiety
What Stranger anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure resistant (C) infant’s
They will have very high/extreme
stranger anxiety
What Separation anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Securely attached (B) infant’s
They will be subdued when their
caregiver leaves the room, showing some distress.
What Separation anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure avoidant (A) infant’s
They will be unconcerned when
the caregiver leaves the room.
What Separation anxiety behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure resistant (C) infant’s
They will be extremely distressed when their caregiver
leaves the room.
What Reunion behaviour behaviour is demonstrated by Securely attached (B) infant’s
They will be easily comforted by their caregiver when distressed
What Reunion behaviour behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure avoidant (A) infant’s
They avoid contact with the caregiver on their return,
ignoring them and not seeking any comfort.
What Reunion behaviour behaviour is demonstrated by Insecure resistant (C) infant’s
They will seek physical contact
with their caregiver on their return yet will reject all attempts to be comforted by them
What is the caregiver behaviour of a securely attached infant
Sensitive, emotionally responsive, supportive
What is the caregiver behaviour of an Insecure Avoidant infant
Rejecting – often does not respond adequately to the child’s needs.
What is the caregiver behaviour of an Insecure Resistant infant
Inconsistent – sometimes responds to the child’s needs
What is the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis
maintains that a child’s attachment style is dependent on the behaviour their mother shows towards them.
- ‘Sensitive’ mothers are responsive to the child’s needs and respond correctly they are more likely to have securely attached children.
In contrast, mothers who are less sensitive and respond to the
child’s needs incorrectly or who are impatient are likely to have insecurely attached children
What are strengths of Ainsworth’s Strange situation into types of attachment
High predictive validity
High reliability
What are limitations of Ainsworth’s Strange situation into types of attachment
Focus’ on the mother
Does not measure attachment
