Ainsworth's strange situation

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

  Some are independent, others are clingy
• What did Mary Ainsworth attempt to categorize?

  Early attachment styles of 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?

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

  Infants return to mother for reassurance
• What is one behavior indicating attachment during separation?

  Distress when separated from mother
• How do infants with insecure avoidant attachment behave?

  They show detachment and low distress
• What is a characteristic of insecure resistant attachment?

  High anxiety and ambivalent behavior
• How does maternal responsiveness affect attachment styles?

  It shapes the infant's attachment type
• What is the purpose of the Strange Situation study?

  To assess infant and mother responses
• What is the first stage of the Strange Situation?

  Mother and infant enter a room
• What is assessed when a stranger enters the room?

  Stranger anxiety of the infant
• What is observed when the mother leaves the room?

  Separation anxiety of the infant
• What happens when the mother returns in the Strange Situation?

  Infant's reunion behavior is observed
• What is the significance of the structured observational technique?

  It allows for controlled assessment of behaviors
• What percentage of infants were securely attached in Ainsworth's study?

  Approximately 66%
• What is a characteristic of securely attached infants?

  Moderate stranger anxiety and quick recovery
• What percentage of infants had insecure avoidant attachment?

  22% of the sample
• What is a common behavior of insecure resistant infants?

  Ambivalent behavior upon mother's return
• How does maternal sensitivity relate to attachment types?

  It influences the development of attachment styles
• What is a strength of the Strange Situation as a study?

  It allows for replication and comparison
• What is a limitation of the Strange Situation?

  It may be culture-bound and misinterpreted
• What does the term "imposed etic" refer to?

  Applying one culture's norms to all cultures
• What does Kagan argue about attachment styles?

  They may reflect biological temperament instead
• What did Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg study?

  Attachment styles across eight countries
• What was a key finding of Van Ijzendoorn's meta-analysis?

  Secure attachment was the most prevalent type
• How does culture influence attachment styles?

  Parenting practices shape attachment behaviors
• What percentage of secure attachment was found in the UK?

  75% of infants
• What does the term "cultural bias" refer to in attachment studies?

  Assuming one culture's norms are superior
• What is a limitation of Van Ijzendoorn's meta-analysis?

  Some countries had only one study included
• What does the term "temporal validity" refer to?

  Relevance of findings over time
• What did Simonelli's study reveal about modern Italian infants?

  Reduction in securely attached infants
• How does the dominance of secure attachment support Bowlby's theory?


  Indicates a biological drive for secure attachment
• What is a significant limitation of cultural attachment studies?

  Variability within cultures is often ignored
• What is the advantage of a large sample size in studies?

  Increases confidence in overall findings
• What is a potential issue with the Strange Situation's controlled setting?

  It may not reflect home familiarity
• How might the observation of mothers affect their behavior?

  Mothers may act more caring than usual
• What is the conclusion about attachment styles from the studies?

  Attachment styles are influenced by culture and biology
• What is the significance of the findings from the Strange Situation?

  They provide insight into infant attachment behaviors