Aisnsworths - strange situations

• Method - controlled observation. 12-18 month old infants left in room with mother
• Method: Eight different scenarios occurred, some were:

  • infant being approached by stranger
  • infant being left alone
  • mother returning
• results:

  • Insecure avoidant (type A): 15% of infants - ignored mother + didn't mind if she left. strange could comfort them
  • secure-resistant (type B): 70% - content with mother, upset when she left and happy when she retuned
  • insecure resistant (type C) - uneasy around mother and upset if she left. resisted strangers and hard comfort when mother returned
• conclusion - infants showing different reaction to their carers have different types of attachment
• evaluation: reliable data - had control of variables because it was a controlled observation
• Evaluation: lack of ecological validity - labatory-type situation made the study artificial
• Evaluation - neg. 'screw you affect'/social desirability - parents want to put their children in the best light so lie about childs behaviour
• evaluation: neg. in a new situation - may not accurately represent infants behavour in real life