The strange situation is a controlled observational procedure designed to measure the security of attachment a baby displays towards a caregiver. It takes place in a room with quite controlled conditions with a two-way mirror & cameras through which psychogists could observe the baby’s behaviour.
Strange Situation - measuring
proximity seeking - staying fairly close to caregiver.
exploration & secure base - baby feels confident enough to explore, using their caregiver as a secure base.
stranger anxiety- display signs of anxiety + distress when a stranger approaches
separation anxiety - displays anxiety + protest when caregive leaves
response to reunion- seeks pleasure & comfort from caregiver once they return.
In unfamiliar playroom
3 mins / baby encouraged to explore / exploration and secure base
3 mins / stranger approaches baby / stranger anxiety
3 mins / PAF leaves / separation + stranger anxiety
3 mins / PAF returns + stranger leaves / reunion behaviour + exploration + secure base
3 mins / PAF leaves / separation anxiety
3 mins / stranger returns / stranger anxiety
3 mins / PAF returns / reunion behaviour
Insecure avoidant attachment
Type A - babies explore freely; don't seek proximity or show secure base behaviour.
Show little or no reaction when the caregiver leaves & little stranger anxiety.
They make little effort to make contact when the caregiver returns and may even avoid such contact.
20%-25%. of British babies are classified as insecure avoidant.
Secure attachment
Type B- babies explore happily; regularly go back to their caregiver. (proximity seeking, secure base behaviour).
Show moderate separation distress & moderate stranger anxiety.
Babies require & acceptcomfort from the caregiver in the reunion stage.
60% - 75% of British babies are classified as secure.
Insecure-resistant attachment
Type C - babies seek greater proximity than others & so explore less.
They show high levels of stranger and separation distress
But they resist comfort when reunited with their caregiver.
Around 3% of Brtish babies are classified as insecure-resistant.