attachment

• strange situation - Ainsworth 


  method:

  1. child and caregiver play in new environment.
  2. stranger enters and briefly talks to caregiver.
  3. stranger attempts to play with child.
  4. caregiver leaves and stranger tries to comfort child.
  5. caregiver returns and stranger leaves.
  6. caregiver leaves again and child is alone.
  7. stranger returns and tries to comfort child again.
  8. caregiver returns and stranger leaves.

  categories used to judge attachment quality:

  • proximity seeking
  • stranger anxiety
  • seperation anxiety
  • reunion behaviour
• strange situation - Ainsworth 2

  evaluation:

  • controlled environment
  • focuses on aspects of attachment
  • overt for mothers
  • stressful for child
  • all American infants -
• abc attachment types


  Type A (insecure avoidant)

  • won't use caregiver as secure base.
  • shows low stranger anxiety.
  • shows low separation anxiety.
  • doesn't require comfort at mothers return.
  • 20-25% of infants in study.

  Type B (secure attachment)

  • will use caregiver as secure base.
  • shows moderate stranger anxiety.
  • shows moderate separation anxiety.
  • easily comforted at reunion.
  • 60-75% of infants in study.

  Type C (insecure resistance)

  • won't explore.
  • shows high stranger anxiety.
  • shows high separation anxiety.
  • wants and rejects comfort from mother
  • 3% of infants in study.