strange situation

• who developed the strange situation?

  Mary Ainsworth
• what was the aim of the strange situation?

  to observe and classify different attachment types
• outline the procedure that the strange situation uses

  controlled observation

  • different scenarios and effect on behaviour was recorded
• what were the 5 behaviours observed?

  • proximity seeking - infant stays close to the caregiver
  • secure base - infant feeling comfortable enough with caregiver to explore
  • stranger anxiety - becoming upset in presence of a stranger
  • separation anxiety - becoming upset when caregiver leaves
  • reunion behaviour - reaction when caregiver re-enters
• give examples of the situations used in the study

  each lasted 3 minutes

  • infant encouraged to explore
  • stranger enters, tries to interact with infant
  • caregiver returns and stranger leaves
  • caregiver leaves the room
• what were the 3 distinct patterns of behaviour that Ainsworth found?

  1. secure attachment (Type B)
  2. insecure-avoidant (Type A)
  3. insecure-resistant (Type C)
• outline secure attachment

  60 to 75%

  • happy to explore and use caregiver as a secure base
  • moderate stranger and separation anxiety
  • sought and accepted comfort at reunion
• outline insecure-avoidant attachment

  20 to 25%

  • happy to explore
  • low separation and stranger anxiety
  • did not seek comfort upon reunion
• outline insecure-resistant attachment

  3%

  • less exploration
  • high stranger and separation anxiety
  • sought comfort at reunion and then rejected it
• strength - valid

  • standardised procedure
  • clear behavioural categories
  • high reliability
• weakness - lacks appropriateness

  • culturally biased
  • classified based on western norms and values
  • lacks generalisability
• weakness - ethics

  • ethical concerns
  • separation and stranger anxiety
  • balance research and well-being