Attachment Types

• Ainsworth's strange situation (1970)


  aim - be able to observe key attachment behaviours

  procedure:

  • controlled observation (lab with cameras and two-way mirror
  • baby is encouraged to explore (exploration and proximity seeking)
  • stranger is introduced to the room (stranger anxiety)
  • caregiver leaves (separation anxiety)
  • when caregiver returns (reunion behaviour)
• Behaviours tested in the strange situation

  • Proximity Seeking
  • Secure base behaviour and exploration
  • Stranger anxiety
  • Separation anxiety
  • Reunion behaviour
• Secure Attachment - Type B

  • High exploration
  • High secure base behaviour
  • Moderate separation anxiety
  • Moderate stranger anxiety
  • Require and accept comfort in reunion
  • 60-75% of British babies
• Insecure-avoidant Attachment - Type A

  • High exploration
  • Low secure-base or proximity seeking behaviour
  • Low stranger anxiety
  • Low separation anxiety
  • Little effort in reunion stage
  • 20-25% of British babies
• Insecure-resistant Attachment - Type C

  • Low exploration
  • High proximity seeking behaviour
  • High stranger anxiety
  • High separation anxiety
  • Resist comfort in reunion
  • 3% of British babies
• Strengths of the strange situation

  • predictive validity - predict children's outcomes later in life e.g. McCormick et al - bullying study
  • Reliability - inter-rater reliability from having multiple observers - 94% agreement rate
• Limitations of the strange situation

  • Test may be culturally bound - Takahashi - Japanese study
  • Other attachment types - Main and Solomon (1986) - Type D, disorganised attachment type, however they are rare