attachment 1

what are attachments 

a close emotional bond/relationship between 2 persons, characterised by mutual affection and desire to be close 

why do infants form attachments 

for survival-helpless at birth 

long term benefits-provides basis for later relationships 

what does general orientation to the other person mean 

people with attachment will direct their attention to other person to engage with them e.g. look at them 

what does joy on reunion mean 

happiness when you see this person after being apart e.g. babies welcome back their attachment figure 

what does seeking proximity mean 

wanting to be near each other and wanting to spend time together e.g. babies crawl to their caregiver if they move away 

what is distress on separation 

being upset when being parted from their attachment figure 

which scientist conducted the strange situation experiment 

Ainsworth et al 

what was the aim of the investigation on attachment 

investigate differences in infants attachment 

what in particular being tested in the attachment investigation 

differences between secure and insecure attachment 

who took place in the investigation 

around 100 middle class American infants aged 9-18 months old 

how was the experiment set up 

observation lab with 2 way mirror 

8 episodes around 3 mins long 

what is exploration and secure base behaviour 

good attachment means baby has confidence to explore using caregiver as secure base 

what is stranger anxiety 

baby displays anxiety when becoming closely attached and exposed to strangers 

what is separation anxiety 

becoming attached means babies protest at separation from their caregiver 

what is response to reunion 

babies who are securely attached greet caregivers with pleasure and comfort 

what could Ainsworth do after the experiment 

classify the children into 3 broad groups 

What happens in the first episodes of the Strange Situation? 

Infant explores with parent present; stranger enters and interacts. 

What happens next in the strange situation experiment after the parent leaves? 

Parent leaves → infant with stranger; parent returns (reunion). 

What happens last? 

Infant left alone; stranger returns; parent returns again (final reunion). 

what % of the children were anxious avoidant

20%

what % of the children were secure attachment

70%

what % of the children