The strange situation Ainsworth

• What type of study was Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

  Controlled observation
• How long was each episode in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

  3 minutes
• What were the different episodes in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?


  Mother and baby, stranger enters, mother leaves, mother returns
• What did the researchers record during the different stages of Ainsworth's Strange Situation?


  The child's responses such as proximity seeking and acceptance of comfort
• How did the researchers observe the interactions in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

  Through a two-way mirror
• What are the three main types of attachment identified in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

  • Secure (B)
  • Insecure-Avoidant (A)
  • Insecure-Resistant (C)
• What characterizes a Secure attachment (B) in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?


  Explores but seeks proximity to the caregiver, moderate stranger and separation anxiety, accepts comfort from caregiver at reunion
• What percentage of infants were classified as Secure in Ainsworth's 1970 study?


  70%
• What characterizes an Insecure-Avoidant attachment (A) in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?


  Explores and does not seek proximity, little or no stranger and separation anxiety, may avoid the caregiver on reunion
• What percentage of infants were classified as Insecure-Avoidant in Ainsworth's 1970 study?


  15%
• What characterizes an Insecure-Resistant attachment (C) in Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

  Seeks proximity, explores less, very high stranger and separation anxiety, resists comfort on reunion
• What percentage of infants were classified as Insecure-Resistant in Ainsworth's 1970 study?


  15%
• What is the caregiver sensitivity hypothesis in relation to attachment types?

  • Mother's behavior towards the infant predicts their attachment type
  • Sensitive caregiving leads to secure attachment
  • Insensitive caregiving can lead to insecure attachments