AO1 - Ainsworths strange situation

• In the strange situation method there are 8 pre-determined stages.
• Stage 1 – Caregiver and child enter the playroom.
• Stage 2 – Infant and caregiver are left alone in the room. The child is encouraged to explore.
• Stage 3 – Stranger enters and attempts to interact with the child.
• Stage 4 – Caregiver leaves while the stranger is present with the child.
• Stage 5 – Caregiver enters and the stranger leaves the room.
• Stage 6 – Caregiver leaves the child alone in the room.
• Stage 7 – Stranger returns and tries to interact with the child.
• Stage 8 – Stranger leaves . Caregiver returns and comforts the child.
• The study was measuring separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, reunion behaviour and safe base/ proximity-seeking behaviour.
• Proximity-seeking behaviour is when a securely attached child seeks the safety of its mother, so stays close to her.
• Secure base behaviour is a point of contact for a securely attached child, they feel freedom to explore but will always return to the safe base of the mother.
• Stranger anxiety is distress in the presence of a stranger.
• Separation anxiety is protest or distress when separated from the primary caregiver.
• Reunion behaviour is the greeting after separation between a child and its mother.
• Stage 1 lasts 1 minute
• Stages 2-8 last for 3 minutes each.
• Reunion behaviour is the greeting after separation between a child and its mother.
• Stage 2 is measuring safe base behaviour and proximity-seeking behaviour.
• Stage 3 measures stranger anxiety.
• Stage 4 is measuring separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
• Stage 5 is measuring reunion behaviour.
• Stage 6 is measuring separation anxiety.
• Stage 7 is measuring stranger anxiety.
• Stage 8 is measuring reunion behaviour.
• Securely attached children will show distress on separation.
• Insecure resistant children will show intense distress on separation.
• Insecure avoidant children will show no signs of distress on separation.