Psych - attachment

Describe the Strange Situation procedure.

The Strange Situation is a structured observation to assess infant attachment. It involves eight episodes, including the child being with the caregiver, a stranger entering, caregiver leaving, and caregiver returning. Researchers observe the child’s reactions to separation, reunion, and interaction with a stranger to identify attachment type.

What are the three main attachment types identified by Ainsworth?

Secure attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment, and anxious-resistant (also called anxious-resistant) attachment.

escribe the behavior of a securely attached infant in the Strange Situation

The infant explores freely while the caregiver is present, shows distress when the caregiver leaves, is happy and easily comforted when the caregiver returns, and may be wary but not overly fearful of the stranger.

Describe the behavior of an anxious-avoidant infant in the Strange Situation.

The infant explores freely and shows little or no distress when the caregiver leaves, avoids or ignores the caregiver on reunion, and is indifferent to the stranger, treating them similarly to the caregiver.

Q:

behavior of a anxious resistant

The infant explores very little, is highly distressed when the caregiver leaves, seeks contact but also resists it upon reunion, and shows fear or wariness toward the stranger.

How does a securely attached infant generally feel toward a stranger in the Strange Situation?

They are wary but can be comforted by the caregiver and may interact with the stranger if the caregiver is present.

How does an anxious-avoidant infant generally feel toward a stranger in the Strange Situation?

They are largely indifferent and may treat the stranger better to how they treat the caregiver

How does an anxious-resistant infant generally feel toward a stranger in the Strange Situation?

mixed ambivalent feelings

How does a securely attached infant respond at the caregiver’s reunion?

easily comforted, happy reunion

How does a anxious avoidant attached infant respond at the caregiver’s reunion?

unaffected

How does a anxious restraint attached infant respond at the caregiver’s reunion?

They seek contact but resist it (may cling yet struggle), and are not easily comforted.

How does a securely attached infant behave regarding exploration?

They use the caregiver as a secure base, exploring the environment confidently while checking back with the caregiver.

How does an insecure-avoidant infant behave regarding exploration?

hey explore the environment independently, showing little use of the caregiver as a secure base.

How does an insecure-resistant infant behave regarding exploration?

They explore very little and stay close to the caregiver, showing high anxiety and reluctance to explore.