Attachment: Ainsworth 'Strange Situation'

• Who developed the Strange Situation?

  Mary Ainsworth and Silvia Bell
• What type of observation is the Strange Situation?

  Controlled observation procedure
• What behaviours are used to judge attachment in the Strange Situation?

  • Proximity-seeking
  • Exploration and secure-base behaviour
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Response to reunion
• What does proximity-seeking indicate in a baby?

  Good quality attachment to a caregiver
• How does secure-base behaviour manifest in babies?

  Confidence to explore while near caregiver
• What does stranger anxiety indicate in a baby?

  Close attachment to the caregiver
• How do securely attached babies respond to reunion?

  They greet caregiver with pleasure
• How many episodes are in the Strange Situation?

  Seven episodes
• What happens in the first episode of the Strange Situation?

  Caregiver and baby enter an unfamiliar playroom
• What is tested in the second episode of the Strange Situation?

  Stranger anxiety
• How long does each episode last in the Strange Situation?

  Three minutes
• What is tested in the third episode of the Strange Situation?

  Separation and stranger anxiety
• What is tested in the fifth episode of the Strange Situation?

  Separation anxiety
• What is tested in the fourth episode of the Strange Situation?

  Reunion behaviour and exploration
• What is tested in the sixth episode of the Strange Situation?

  Stranger anxiety
• What is tested in the seventh episode of the Strange Situation?

  Reunion behaviour
• What are the three main types of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  • Secure attachment (Type B)
  • Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)
  • Insecure-resistant attachment (Type C)
• What characterizes secure attachment (Type B)?

  Explores happily, seeks caregiver's proximity
• What percentage of British babies are classified as securely attached?

  60-75%
• What characterizes insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)?

  Explores freely, shows little proximity-seeking
• What percentage of British babies are classified as insecure-avoidant?

  20-25%
• What characterizes insecure-resistant attachment (Type C)?

  Seeks greater proximity, explores less
• What percentage of British babies are classified as insecure-resistant?

  About 3%
• What are the strengths of the Strange Situation?

  • Good predictive validity
  • Good inter-rater reliability
• What outcomes are associated with secure attachment?

  Better achievement and mental health
• What is a counterpoint to the predictive validity of the Strange Situation?

  Not all psychologists agree it's measuring attachment
• Why does the Strange Situation have good reliability?

  Controlled conditions and observable behaviours
• What is a limitation of the Strange Situation?

  • May be culture-bound
  • Validity in different cultures is uncertain
• What did Takahashi's study suggest about Japanese babies in the Strange Situation?

  High levels of separation anxiety observed
• What did Takahashi conclude about the anxiety response in Japanese babies?

  Not due to attachment insecurity
• What are the implications of the Strange Situation's findings?

  • Insight into attachment styles
  • Importance for child development
  • Potential cultural limitations