Ainsworth strange situation

What was the aim of the Strange Situation study?

Mary Ainsworth (1971) aimed to measure different types of infant attachment by observing behaviour in a controlled setting.

What was the procedure of the Strange Situation?

• Controlled observation in a room with toys

• ~100 middle-class American infants + mothers

• 8 standardised episodes lasting ~3 minutes each

• Child observed over ~20 minutes

• Observers watched through a one-way mirror

What behaviours were measured in the Strange Situation?

• Willingness to explore (use of caregiver as safe base)

• Separation anxiety

• Stranger anxiety

• Reunion behaviour

What happens in the 8 stages of the Strange Situation?

• Mother + infant enter

• Infant encouraged to explore

• Stranger enters and interacts

• Mother leaves (stranger present)

• Mother returns, stranger leaves

• Mother leaves again

• Stranger returns

• Mother returns, stranger leaves

When are key attachment behaviours assessed?

• Exploration (safe base): Stages 2 & 5

• Separation anxiety: Stages 4 & 6

• Stranger anxiety: Stages 3, 4 & 7

• Reunion behaviour: Stages 5 & 8

What are the three attachment types identified by Ainsworth?

• Insecure-Avoidant (Type A)

• Secure (Type B)

• Insecure-Resistant (Type C)

What are the characteristics of Insecure-Avoidant attachment (Type A)?

• ~15% of infants

• Avoid caregiver, do not use as safe base

• Low separation & stranger anxiety

• Do not seek comfort on reunion

• Mothers show low sensitive responsiveness

What are the characteristics of Secure attachment (Type B)?

• ~70% of infants (most common / ideal type)

• Use caregiver as a safe base

• High separation & stranger anxiety

• Positive reunion behaviour → easily comforted

• Mothers show high sensitive responsiveness

What are the characteristics of Insecure-Resistant attachment (Type C)?

• ~15% of infants

• Little exploration, clingy behaviour

• High separation & stranger anxiety

• Resist comfort on reunion (reject caregiver)

• Mothers show inconsistent responsiveness

What conclusions did Ainsworth draw from the Strange Situation?

• Majority of infants are securely attached

• Attachment type linked to caregiver behaviour

• Led to the Caregiver Sensitivity Hypothesis
  → Caregiver responsiveness determines attachment type

What is the Caregiver Sensitivity Hypothesis?

• The level of sensitive responsiveness shown by the caregiver
  → Predicts the infant’s attachment type

• Consistent, responsive care → secure attachment

• Inconsistent/low responsiveness → insecure attachment