Mary Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation'

• What is 'the strange situation'?

  A controlled observation designed to test attachment security. Babies are assessed on their response to playing in an unfamiliar room, a stranger, being left by the caregiver, and being reunited with a caregiver.
• Features of 'the strange situation':

  • A controlled observation
  • Consists of pre-determined stages which are designed to cause the infants increasing levels of stress
  • Each stage lasts for 2-3 minutes
  • Is a non-participant observation
  • Behaviour of infant is covertly observed through a 2-way mirror
  • Pattern of behaviours shown allow for infants to be classified into different attachment styles
• What behaviours are researches looking for in 'the strange situation'?

  • Proximity seeking & exploratory behaviour
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Behaviour towards caregiver at reunion
• What happens in the first stage of 'the strange situation'?

  The researcher takes the caregiver and infant into a room containing various toys. Caregiver encourages infant to explore its surroundings. The researcher observes from behind a two-way mirror. Observing for exploration/safe base behaviours.
• What happens in the second stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Stranger enters the room and talks with the caregiver. Then attempts to engage with the infant. Observing for stranger anxiety.
• What happens in the third stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Caregiver leaves the room. Infant is left alone with the stranger. If the infant is upset, the stranger attempts to comfort and play with the infant. Observing for separation and stranger anxiety.
• What happens in the fourth stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Caregiver returns to the room. The stranger leaves. Observing for reunion behaviour.
• What happens in the fifth stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Caregiver leaves the room and the infant is left alone. If infant was very distressed the time this lasts for would be reduced. Observing for separation anxiety.
• What happens in the sixth stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Stranger returns to the room and attempts to comfort and play with the infant if it's distressed. Observing for stranger anxiety.
• What happens in the seventh stage of 'the strange situation'?

  Caregiver re-enters the room and the stranger leaves. Tries to comfort the infant. Observing for reunion behaviour.
• What were the three types of attachment that Mary Ainsworth found?

  Type B - Secure attachment

  Type C - Insecure resistant

  Type A - Insecure avoidant
• What percentage of infants in Britain experience each type of attachment?

  Secure attachment - 75%

  Insecure resistant - 3%

  Insecure avoidant - 22%
• How did infants with secure attachments react in 'the strange situation'?

  They explored happily but regularly returned to their caregiver. Experienced moderate separation and stranger anxiety. Once reunited, required and accepted comfort from caregiver.
• How did infants with insecure avoidant attachments react in 'the strange situation'?

  They explored freely but did not seek proximity or show safe base behaviour. They showed little stranger anxiety. They showed little or no reaction when the caregiver left the room and made little/no effort to make contact when the caregiver returned. They don't require comfort at the reunion stage.
• How did infants with insecure resistant attachment react in 'the strange situation'?

  They seek greater proximity and so explored their surroundings less. They showed huge stranger and separation anxiety. They required comfort but appeared unable to achieve it even when reunited with their caregiver.
• What did Mary Ainsworth conclude?

  That attachment differences depend upon the sensitivity of the caregiver.

  Sensitive, consistent mothers have infants who are securely attached.

  Insecure avoidant attachments occur when caregiver is consistently unresponsive.

  Insecure resistant attachments occur when caregiver is insensitive and inconsistent: sometimes care is offered and sometimes not.

  This is called the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis.
• What are the strengths of Mary Ainsworth's research?

  • Highly reliable - a highly controlled and standardised procedure
  • High levels of inter-rater reliability
• What are the weaknesses of Mary Ainsworth's research?

  • Lack of ecological validity - infant is in a strange & artificial environment
  • Lack of validity - if an infant had spent more time around unfamiliar adults then they may be more accustomed to it
  • Some psychologists have suggested that innate infant temperament underlies their attachment style - caregiver sensitivity alone may not explain attachment styles
  • Ethical issues - putting an infant under stress
  • Socially sensitive - caregivers of infants displaying insecure attachments may feel inadequate
• What is insecure avoidant attachment?

  An attachment type characterised by low anxiety and avoidance of social interaction and intimacy with the caregiver
• What is secure attachment?

  An attachment type characterised by social interaction and intimacy with the caregiver who provides security and can soothe the infant when they are anxious. The infant also shows a moderate fear of strangers.
• What is insecure resistant attachment?

  An attachment type characterised by strong anxiety and where infants seek yet reject social interaction and intimacy with the caregiver.