The strange situation

• Who was observed in the 'strange situation'?

  106 middle class infants were observed using a video camera in a nursery setting
• What was Ainsworth assessing?

  1. Separation anxiety
  2. Stranger anxiety
  3. Reunion behaviour
• What was stage one of the strange situation?

  The mother and infant get introduced into the room by the observer (30 seconds).
• What was stage two of the strange situation?

  The mother sits, and the infant is placed on the floor and is free to explore (3 minutes).
• What is stage three of the strange situation?

  The stranger enters the room and tries to engage with the infant through play and talk (3 minutes).
• What is stage four of the strange situation?

  The mother leaves the room. Now the infant is alone with the stranger. The stranger tries to comfort the infant if they get upset, and tries to play with them. (3 minutes).
• What is stage five of the strange situation?

  The mother returns to the room and the stranger leaves (3 minutes).
• What is stage six of the strange situation?

  The mother leaves the room and the infant is alone (3 minutes).
• What is stage seven of the strange situation?

  Instead of the mother returning to the room, the stranger returns and tries to comfort and play with the infant (3 minutes).
• What is stage eight of the strange situation?

  The mother returns to the room and the stranger leaves (3 minutes).