Ainsworth's strange situation L6

• How many episodes does the procedure consist of?

  Eight episodes
• What types of attachment were found in the findings?

  Three different types
• What do securely attached infants (Type B) use their caregivers for?

  As a secure base to explore
• How do securely attached infants react when their caregiver leaves?

  They are not likely to cry
• What is the response of securely attached infants to a stranger?

  They show some distress when left
• How do securely attached infants respond when feeling anxious?

  They are easily soothed
• What is the behavior of insecure-avoidant infants (Type A) towards exploration?

  They are happy to explore
• How do insecure-avoidant infants respond to separation from their caregiver?

  They show little response
• What is the reunion behavior of insecure-avoidant infants?

  They show little or no reunion behavior
• How do insecure-resistant infants (Type C) behave towards social interaction?

  They seek and resist social interaction
• What levels of anxiety do insecure-resistant infants show?

  High levels of separation and stranger anxiety
• What behaviors do insecure-resistant infants show when reunited with caregivers?

  They show conflicting behaviors
• How often are observations recorded in the study?

  Every 15 seconds
• What is the purpose of scoring each item in the observations?

  To assess intensity on a scale of 1 to 10
• What did Main and Solomon propose in 1990?

  A fourth attachment type, insecure-disorganized
• How do insecure-disorganized infants behave?

  They show strong attachment followed by avoidant behavior
• What influence did Mary Ainsworth have on John Bowlby?

  She provided important evidence for his theory
• What did Ainsworth's original conclusions suggest?

  They were incomplete regarding attachment behaviors
• What is a strength of the Strange Situation?

  High reliability of observations
• What did Ainsworth et al. find regarding inter-observer reliability?

  Almost perfect inter-observer reliability of 94%
• What did Bowlby focus on in his research?

  Universality of attachments
• What was Ainsworth particularly interested in?

  Individual differences in attachment types
• What does high inter-observer reliability suggest?

  Observations can be accepted as reliable
• What is the significance of Ainsworth's method of assessing attachment type?

  It continues to be a reliable method
• What are the three types of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  • Securely attached (Type B)
  • Insecure-avoidant (Type A)
  • Insecure-resistant (Type C)
• What are the key features of the Strange Situation procedure?

  1. Eight episodes
  2. Observations every 15 seconds
  3. Scoring intensity on a scale of 1 to 10
  4. High inter-observer reliability
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ainsworth's attachment research?

  Strengths:

  • High reliability of observations
  • Important evidence for attachment theory

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Overlooked a fourth attachment type
  • Original conclusions may be incomplete
• Describe securely attached infants (type b)


  • use their caregiver as a secure base to explore
  • not likely to cry if their caregiver leaves
  • shows some distress when left with a stranger
  • when feeling anxious they are easily soothed by their caregivers
• Describe insecure-avoidant infants (type a)

  • they are happy to explore with to without caregiver
  • show little response to separation
  • little or no social interaction & intimacy with others
• Describe insecure-resistant infants (type c)

  • seek and resist social interaction with others
  • high levels of separation anxiety & stranger anxiety
  • when reunited with caregiver - shows conflicting behaviours and resists being picked up