Ainsworth

• Ainsworth strange situation used to asses how children react under conditions of stress to a new situation and separation from caregiver
• Ainsworth strange situation - method

  Controlled observation using 12-18 month olds

  Left in a room with mother

  8 different scenarios including been left by mother and stranger approuching
• Ainsworth strange situation - Findings

  15% infants were insecure-avoidant

  70% infants were secure

  15% infants were insecure-resistant
• Ainsworth strange situation - conclusions

  Infants showed different reactions to their caregivers and had different types of attachments
• Ainsworth strange situation - evaluation

  • Allowed control of variables = reliable results
  • Lab experiment = artificial situation reduces ecological validity
  • Parents could have changed behaviour knowing they were been observed
  • New situation could've affected children
• Ainsworth findings been shown many times in the USA but wasn't known if it applied across cultures