Ainsworth's 'Strange Situation'

• What are the variations in children's interactions with their mothers?

  Some are independent, others are clingy
• What is the focus of Mary Ainsworth's research?

  To categorize early attachment styles in infants
• What is the name of Ainsworth's technique for assessing attachment?

  The Strange Situation
• What did Ainsworth's research find about attachment styles across cultures?

  Similarities and differences in attachment styles
• What behaviors indicate the strength of an infant's attachment to their caregiver?

  Closeness, anxiety around strangers, distress on separation
• What does using the mother as a secure base mean?

  Infants return to their mother for reassurance
• What is the classification system introduced by Ainsworth?

  Three types of infant attachment
• What is the first type of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  Insecure avoidant (Type A)
• How do infants with insecure avoidant attachment behave?

  They show detachment and low distress
• What is the typical reaction of insecure avoidant infants upon reunion with their mother?

  Indifferent to the mother's return
• What is the second type of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  Secure (Type B)
• How do infants with secure attachment behave when exploring?

  They explore confidently but return to mother
• What is the third type of attachment identified by Ainsworth?

  Insecure resistant (Type C)
• How do infants with insecure resistant attachment react to separation?

  They show high anxiety and distress
• What complex emotions do insecure resistant infants display upon reunion?

  Desire for closeness but push away
• What does Ainsworth suggest about mothers of insecure avoidant infants?

  They show less responsiveness to needs
• What is the purpose of the Strange Situation study?

  To assess infant and mother responses
• How is stranger anxiety assessed in the Strange Situation?

  By observing infant reactions to a stranger
• What is observed during the separation stage of the Strange Situation?

  Infant's reactions to being alone with a stranger
• What is observed during the reunion stage of the Strange Situation?

  Infant's ability to calm down and seek comfort
• What does Ainsworth's research suggest about maternal sensitivity?

  It shapes the attachment types of infants
• What is a strength of the Strange Situation as a structured observation?

  It allows for replication and comparison of findings
• What is a positive outcome associated with secure attachment?

  Positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes
• What is a criticism of the Strange Situation regarding cultural bias?

  It may not apply to all cultural contexts
• What does the term "imposed etic" refer to?

  Applying one culture's norms to all cultures
• What is a limitation of the controlled setting of the Strange Situation?

  It doesn't mimic the familiarity of home
• What alternative perspective challenges Ainsworth's conclusions?

  Kagan's view on biological temperament
• What did Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's meta-analysis focus on?

  Attachment studies across eight countries
• What was a key finding of Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg's research?

  Secure attachment was the most prevalent type
• How does attachment vary between individualistic and collectivist cultures?

  Avoidant attachment is more common in individualistic cultures
• What was a notable finding regarding differences within countries in Van Ijzendoorn's study?

  Differences within countries were larger than between countries
• What cultural practice might explain Germany's high number of avoidant infants?

  Encouraging independence in children
• What might explain the high number of insecure resistant infants in Japan?

  Mothers keeping infants very close early on
• What does the term "temporality" refer to in the context of attachment studies?

  Changes in family dynamics over time
• What trend did Simonelli's study find regarding modern Italian infants?

  Reduction in securely attached infants
• What does the dominance of secure attachment across cultures suggest?

  It may be an inherited biological drive
• What is a limitation of Van Ijzendoorn's meta-analysis regarding sample size?

  Some countries had only one study represented
• What does cultural bias in attachment research risk?

  Assuming one culture's norms are superior
• What are the three primary attachment styles identified by Ainsworth?

  • Secure (Type B)
  • Insecure avoidant (Type A)
  • Insecure resistant (Type C)
• What are the stages of the Strange Situation designed to assess?

  1. Infant's willingness to explore
  2. Stranger anxiety
  3. Separation anxiety
  4. Reunion behavior
  5. Coping with solitude