Methods in Attachment Research

• Attachment research often studies independent variables that would be unetical to manipulate. So researchers often use Natural/Quasi or animal experiments.
• Research uses frame-by-frame video analysis; this is when researchers record the baby through the camera and make detailed observations.

  • More reliable than direct observation
• Longitudinal studies involve the same researcher going to the same participants over periods of time.
• Limitation of natural experiment is that researchers cant control extraneous variables and cant directly test cause and effect.
• A strength of longitudinal studies:

  • Deeper insight as to how behaviour changes over time
  • Gives insight into how early experiences shape behaviour
  • More reliable results
• A limitation of longitutdinal:

  • Attritional - losing participants over the course of studies
• Using animals means that the behaviour is not generalisable to humans and therefore cannot be used to predict human behaviour

  • Unethical because they cause distress to the animal.