Mary Ainsworth

• Mary Ainsworth was a key contributor to Attachment Theory. Attachment Theory is the study of the need to bond closely emotionally with our primary caregiver during the first 6 months of our lives.
• She developed the "Strange Situation" procedure to test the attachment styles of babies aged from 6-12 months. She derived 2 types of attachment, being secure and insecure. She also derived 3 types of insecure attachments being anxious-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, and disorganized.
• The Strange Situation Experiment works by

  1. Having the caregiver enter the room and soothe the child until they are relaxed.
  2. A stranger enters the room, but doesn't interact/console/comfort the child
  3. The Caregiver leaves the room and the stranger interacts with the generally upset child
  4. The caregiver returns and soothes the child once again
  5. The Caregiver leaves again and the stranger also tries to console the child again
  6. The Caregiver returns and comforts the child for the final time.
• Strange Situation Conclusion:

  The key moments are the child's reaction after their parents leave and return. Children with secure attachments typically hug their mothers and are able to return to playing. Children with insecure attachments may either be clingy to the mother and cry as well as not return to playing or be more comforted by the stranger (avoidant).