strange situation - mary ainsworth 1969

who conducted this study and when?

mary ainsworth 1969

1) the child is encouraged to explore

1) exploration and secure base behaviour and proximity seeing

2) a stranger comes in and attempts to interact with the child

2) stranger anxiety

3) the caregiver leaves the child and stranger together

3) separation anxiety and stranger anxiety

4) the caregiver returns and the stranger leaves

4) reunion behaviour and exploration of secure base

5) the caregiver leaves the child alone

5) separation anxiety

6) the stranger returns

6) stranger anxiety

7) the caregiver is reunited with the child

7) reunion behaviour

findings:

identified 3 types of attachment: secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant

secure

type B

proximity seeking: regularly with caregiver

separation anxiety: distressed when caregiver leaves

stranger anxiety: moderate stranger anxiety

response to reunion: happy to see caregiver, accepts comfort

exploration and secure based behaviour: comforted by caregiver, continues to play, uses caregiver as a safe base.

% of infants: 60-75

insecure-avoidant

type A

proximity seeking: does not seek proximity with caregiver

separation anxiety: little or no reaction when caregiver leaves

stranger anxiety: little stranger anxiety

response to reunion: unphased, do not require comfort

exploration and secure based behaviour: caregiver and stranger are able to comfort equally well

% of infants: 20-25

insecure-resistant

type C

proximity seeking: seek greater proximity, explore less

separation anxiety: extreme distress when caregiver leaves

stranger anxiety: avoids stranger, shows fear

response to reunion: child approaches caregiver but resists contact, may even push away

exploration and secure base behaviour: cries more, explores less

% of infants: 3