Strange situation

• Who was it developed by?

  Ainsworth in 1969
• what were the behaviours used to judge attachment?

  • proximity seeking
  • exploration and secure base
  • stranger anxiety
  • seperation anxiety
• how was proximity seeking used?

  infant with good attachment will stay close to caregiver
• how was exploration and secure base used?

  good attachment allows child to feel confident enough to explore.

  caregiver as secure base which is point of contact that will make them feel safe
• how was stranger anxiety used?

  closely attached infants show anxiety when stranger approaches
• how was separation anxiety used?

  closely attached infants show protest in being separated from caregiver
• what did the procedure include?

  7 episodes each lasting 3 minutes
• what happened in the beginning?

  child and caregiver enter an unfamiliar playroom
• what were the first 4 episodes?

  1. child encouraged to explore
  2. stranger enters and attempts to interact with infant
  3. caregiver leaves child and stranger alone
  4. caregiver returns and stranger leaves
• what happened in the last 3 episodes?

  1. caregiver leaves child alone
  2. stranger returns
  3. caregiver returns and is reunited with child
• what were the 3 different types of attachment that were found?

  • secure attachment
  • insecure avoidant attachment
  • insecure resistant attachment
• describe secure attachment?

  • explore happily but regularly return to caregiver
  • moderate stranger and separation anxiety
  • accept comfort from caregivers in reunion
  • 60-75% British toddlers
• describe insecure avoidant attachment.?

  • explore freely but don’t seek proximity
  • little/no reaction when caregiver leaves and makes little effort to make contact upon reunion
  • Little stranger anxiety
  • 20-25% British toddlers
• descibe insecure resistant attachment.?

  • seek great proximity
  • explore less
  • huge stranger and separation anxiety accept comfort
  • resist comfort when reunited with carer
  • 3% toddlers