A01

• sample


  Ainsworth conducted the strange situation research on American infants and their mothers, to observe key attachment behaviours such as separation anxiety.
• method:

  • This was a controlled observation using a 2-way mirror, so baby could not see the observers(covert).
  • This consisted of 7 episodes each lasting 3 minutes, for example a stranger entering room testing stranger anxiety, or caregiver leaving the room with infant left on their own, measuring separation anxiety
  • The strange situation allowed 3 types of infant attachment styles to be created:
• insecure avoidant(a)

  • no stranger or seperation anxiet
  • independant and willing to explore
  • dont seek affection from mother, when reentered room did not approach for comfort
• secure

  • mild stranger and seperation anxiety
  • willing to explore but regularly goes back to mother
  • when mother re-enters room, approaches and is comforted
• insecure resistant(c)

  • high levels of stranger and seperation anxiety
  • not very willing to explore, constantly seeks mother however rejects comfort
  • when mother re-entered, appraoch mother however rejected comfort