Strange Situation

• Strange Situation


  Mary Ainsworth developed TSS to observe key attachment behaviours in children. The aim was to be able to assess the quality of a child's attachment to a caregiver.
• TSS : Procedure

  Controlled observation designed to measure the security of attachment. A lab with a two-way mirror allowed for a covert observation (with parental consent). They observed 5 categories and ranked them on a scale from 1-7.

  • proximity seeking
  • exploration and secure-base behaviour
  • stranger anxiety
  • separation anxiety
  • response to reunion
• TSS : episodes

  Child and caregiver enter the unfamiliar playroom, with 7 episodes designed to test each category, lasting 3 minutes each
• TSS : Findings

  Ainsworth found 3 distinct types of attachment:

  • Insecure-avoidant (Type A) = low anxiety but weak attachment, don't require comforting. Parents are emotionally unavailable and unresponsive (22% in TSS, 20-25% of British children)
  • Secure (Type B) = psychologically healthy, moderate anxiety and accept comfort. Parents are nurturing and emotionally available (66% in TSS, 60-75% of British children)
  • Insecure-resistant (Type C) = strong attachment and high anxiety, resist comfort. Parents are inconsistent (12% in TSS, 3% of British children)
• TSS : Strength


  Ainsworth had multiple observers and found 94% agreement on attachment classifications. Suggests findings are accurate and trustworthy (reliability)
• TSS : Weakness


  The observation was in a controlled, artificial setting that was unfamiliar. Children may have acted differently than they would naturally meaning we don't have real-world application. There is a lack of ecological validity.
• TSS : Weakness


  Main and Solomon found there to be a fourth attachment type through analysis of videotaped Strange Situation episodes. Type D : insecure-disorganised is for infants who show inconsistent behaviour. Suggests TSS is incomplete.