AO3 - Ainsworth's Strange Situation

• As the research is highly operationalised and controlled the study has high reliability.
• As more than one observer recorded data, the study has high inter-observer reliability.
• The sample was restricted to 100 middle class American infants and their mothers, so lacks population validity.
• The study used covert observation which prevents demand characteristics.
• The lab based environment may have increased the likelihood of demand characteristics from the mothers.
• The sample is not representative of the wider population, which limits generalisation.
• The sample was only American children which makes the findings bias (ethnocentric).
• The study has high predictive validity, as the outcomes can be used to predict a number of aspects of the child's later development.
• McCormick et al (2016) found that securely attached children have better outcomes later in life, like achievement in school.
• Kokkinos (2007) also found that securely attached children have better outcomes in life.
• Ward et al (2006) suggests that securely attached children have better mental health in adulthood.
• The strange situation method is useful in helping us understand the effects of attachment types on behaviour.
• Bick et al (2012) tested for inter-rater reliability of the strange situation method and found agreement on attachment type in 94% of cases.
• The strange situation is culturally biased as a method, and may not reflect cultural differences.
• Takahashi (1986) studied in Japan and found many babies were classified as insecure resistant as they displayed high levels of separation anxiety.
• Takahashi (1990) suggests that cultural differences explain the variations in attachment types, as many Japanese children are rarely separated from their mothers.