Ainsworth Strange Situation

Measure and Type

Measuring reunion behaviour, separation protest, proximity seeking (safe base) and stranger anxiety
Controlled observation

Procedure

7 × 3 min eps

1. cg and infant observed together

2. stranger, cg and infant together

3. cg leaves - just stranger and infant

4. stranger leaves and cg returns

5. infant alone

6. stranger and infant together

7. cg returns and stranger leaves

Findings

3 attachment types

IA - limited stranger anx/sep protest/reunion behaviour/proximity seeking (20-25%)

IR - extreme stranger anx/sep protest - very clingy and resistant in reunion, extreme proximity seeking (5-12%)

Secure - Moderate stranger anx/sep protest BUT easily soothed in reunion and explored from mother as safe base (66-75%)

Explanations - Ainsworth

a sensitive and responsive mother is likely to have a securely attached child

Weakness - Explanations

Kagan - temperament of child drives attachment type observed

Weakness - Artifical env

BUT ainsworth says this is typical of situations children find themselves in

Weakness - ethical issues

distress for child

Strength - artificial environment

controlled and replicable

Weakness - observer bias

BUT inter-observer reliability high at 94%