types of attachment

• who did the strange situation experiment?

  Ainsworth
• what was the strange situation experiment?

  a controlled observation designed to test attachment security - babies were assessed on their response to playing in an unfamiliar room, being left alone, left with a stranger and being reunited with a caregiver
• what behaviours were researchers looking for to judge attachment (5)

  - proximity-seeking

  - separation anxiety

  - stranger anxiety

  - exploration + secure-base behaviour

  - response to reunion
• how many 'episodes were in the strange situation procedure?

  7
• what was the first 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the baby is encouraged to explore - tests exploration and secure base
• what was the second 'episode'?

  what does it test

  a stranger comes in, talks to the caregiver and approaches the baby - tests stranger anxiety
• what was the third 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the caregiver leaves the baby and stranger alone - tests stranger + separation anxiety
• what was the fourth 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the caregiver returns and the stranger leaves - tests reunion behaviour
• what was the fifth 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the caregiver leaves in the infant alone - tests separation anxiety
• what was the sixth 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the stranger returns - tests stranger anxiety
• what was the seventh 'episode'?

  what does it test

  the caregiver returns and is reunited with the baby - tests reunion behaviour
• what were the findings?

  found 3 types of attachment:

  >> secure attachment (type b)

  >> insecure-avoidant (type a)

  >> insecure-resistant (type c)
• would a SECURELY ATTACHED baby be willing to explore? (proximity seeking + secure base behaviour)

  will explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver
• would a SECURELY ATTACHED baby show separation/stranger anxiety?

  moderate stranger anxiety and separation distress
• would a SECURELY ATTACHED baby accept comfort in the reunion stage?

  yes
• what percentage of British babies are securely attached?

  60-75%
• would a baby classified as INSECURE AVOIDANT explore willingly? (proximity seeking + secure base behaviour)

  babies will explore willingly but won't seek proximity or show secure base behaviour
• would a baby classified as INSECURE AVOIDANT show stranger / separation anxiety?

  show little stranger or separation anxiety
• would a baby classified as INSECURE AVOIDANT accept comfort in the reunion stage?

  little to no reaction on caregivers return
• what percentage of British babies are classed as INSECURE AVOIDANT?

  20-25%
• would a baby classified as INSECURE RESISTANT be willing to explore?

  show little willingness to explore and seek greater proximity to caregiver
• would a baby classified as INSECURE RESISTANT show stranger / separation anxiety?

  high levels of stranger / separation anxiety
• would a baby classified as INSECURE RESISTANT accept comfort when reunited with the caregiver?


  would resist comfort when reunited with the caregiver
• what percentage of British babies are classes as INSECURE RESISTANT?

  3%
• what type of attachment is this baby:

  - explore freely but don't seek proximity to the caregiver / show secure base behaviour

  - show little / no reaction on caregivers return

  - show little / no stranger or separation anxiety

  insecure-avoidant
• what type of attachment is this baby:

  - seeks proximity to the caregiver and avoids exploration

  - high levels of stranger and separation anxiety

  - resists comfort when reunited with the caregiver

  insecure-resistant
• give one strength of the strange situation experiment

  GOOD RELIABILITY

  - bick et al tested inter-rater reliability for the strange situation and found agreement on attachent type in 94%

  - because it was a controlled observation it increases its reliability

  - behaviours are easy to observe as they involve large movements so findings aren't based on subjective judgements
• give one limitation of the strange situation experiment

  MAY BE CULTURE BOUND:

  - may not be a valid measure of attachment in different cultural contexts

  - was done in GB and USA which have similar culture --> different experiences in different cultures may affect responses to the strange situation