Ainsworths strange situation

• Ainsworth strange situation


  observed the following:

  • separation anxiety
  • reunion behaviour
  • safe base behaviour
  • stranger anxiety

  66% secure - type B

  22% insecure avoidant - type A

  12% insecure resistant - type B
• Ainsworth SS procedure

  stages of SS

  • mum and infant enter room, infant free to explore - exploration
  • stranger enters and briefly talks with mother - stranger anxiety
  • stranger tries to interact with baby - stranger anxiety
  • mum leaves, stranger offers comfort & to play - separation anxiety, stranger anxiety
  • mother returns and stranger leaves - reunion behaviour
  • mum leaves, baby is alone - separation anxiety
  • stranger reenters to comfort the baby - stranger anxiety
  • mum returns and stranger leaves - reunion behaviour
• Ainsworth SS AO3

  -lacks ecological validity - artificial setting unfamiliar to baby and parents - don't know what behaviours are valid

  -methodological weakness - overt, know they are being watched, mum might change behaviour

  +high reliability - observation under strict controlled methods using pre determined behaviour categories