Attachment types

• Ainsworth et al (1971, 1978)

  the Strange situation (SS), in novel environment, separated then reunited with PCG, response to stranger, videoed or viewed through one way mirror, 15 sec interval recording of behaviour, Ainsworth viewed maternal sensitivity to be linked to attachment
• Exploration willingness

  B: High

  A: High

  C: Low
• Stranger anxiety

  B: Moderate

  A: Low

  C: High
• Separation anxiety

  B: Some easy to soothe

  A: Indifferent

  C: Distressed
• Reunion (PCG) behaviour

  B: Enthusiastic

  A: Avoids contact

  C: Seeks and rejects
• Percentage of infants

  B: 66%

  A: 22%

  C:12%
• Type B

  Secure attachment
• Type A

  Insecure avoidant
• Type C

  Insecure resistant
• Main and Solomon (1986)

  analysed >200 strange situation tapes, found type D attachment, insecure disorganised, behaviour lacking consistency, no coherent way of dealing with stress, may show strong attachment but also avoid or be fearful of PCG

  • Van Ijzendoorn et al (1999) - meta analysis of 80 SS studies in US, 62% B, 15% A, 9% C, 15% D
• Ainsworth et al (1978)

  0.94 agreement between panel of experienced raters on infant behaviour in SS, means observations very reliable
• Main and Weston (1981)

  Low internal validity in SS, found children act differently depending on which parent is present

  • Maybe not evaluating attachment type, but singular relationships (though, could link to monotropy, one important person)
• Main (1999)

  tested group and reassessed them age 9 using AAI, found attachment type chiefly influenced by mother
• Slade et al (2005)

  Reflective functioning (understanding other's thoughts /feelings) more important than sensitivity