Types of attachment

• Who created the 'strange situation'?

  Ainsworth
• 'Strange situation' procedure:

  1. baby is encouraged to explore
  2. A stranger comes in and speaks to the baby and caregiver
  3. Caregiver leaves baby and stranger together
  4. The caregiver returns and stranger leaves
  5. Caregiver leaves baby alone
  6. Stranger returns
  7. Caregiver returns and reunites with baby
• What behaviour was used to test attachment:

  • Proximity-seeking
  • Exploration and secure base behaviour
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Response to reunion
• What were the three types of attachment?

  Secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant
• Secure attachment: Babies explore happily but regular go back to the caregiver. Show moderate separation distress and moderate stranger anxiety. Require and accept comfort from caregiver in reunion stage.
• Insecure-avoidant attachement: Babies explore freely but do not seek proximity or secure-base behaviour. Show little to no reaction when caregiver leaves and little stranger anxiety. Make little effort to make contact when caregiver returns may avoid it.
• Insecure-resistant attachment: Babies seek greater proximity than others so explore less. High levels of stranger anxiety and separation distress, resist comfort when reunited.