Types of attachment

Insecure-avoidant attachment

An attachment type characterised by low anxiety but weak attachment. In the Strange Situation this is shown by low levels of strangers and separation anxiety and little response to reunion, maybe even un avoidance of the caregiver.

Insecure-resistant attachment

An attachment type characterised by strong attachment and high anxiety. In the Strange Sotuation this is shown by high levels of stranger and separation anxiety and resistance to be comforted at reunion

Secure attachment

The most desirable attachment type, associated with psychologically healthy outcomes. In the Strange Situation this is shown by moderate stranger and separation anxiety and ease of comfort at reunion

Strange Situation

A controlled observation designed to test attachment security. Observant record a baby’s behaviour while playing in an unfamiliar room. The baby is with a caregiver, left with a stranger, reunited with caregiver, left alone, again left for the stranger and then finally reunited with caregiver.

Developed by Ainsworth and Bell 1970

Procedure of Strange Situation

it takes place in a room with quite controlled conditions with a one-way mirror and cameras which psychologist can use to observe the baby’s behaviour.

The behaviour is used to judge attachment include:

• Proximity-seeking - a baby with a good quality attachment will stay fairly close to a caregiver

• Exploration and secure-base behaviour - good attachment enables a baby to feel confident to explore, using their caregiver as a secure base.

• Stranger anxiety - one of the signs of becoming closely attached is a display of anxiety when a stranger approaches.

• Separation anxiety - got another sign of becoming attached is to protest at separation from the caregiver

• Response to reunion - babies who are securely attached greet the caregivers returned with pleasure and seek comfort

7 episodes each lasting 3 minutes

1. Baby encouraged to explore - tests exploration, secure base and proximity seeking

2. Stranger comes in and approaches baby - tests stranger anxiety, secure base and proximity seeking

3. Caregiver leaves baby and stranger together - test separation and stranger anxiety

4. Caregiver returns and stranger leaves - tests reunion behaviour and secure base behaviour

5. Caregiver leaves baby alone - tests separation anxiety

6. Stranger returns - tests stranger anxiety

7. Caregiver returns and is reunited with baby - tests reunion behaviour

Findings of the Strange Situation

Ainsworth 1978 found that there were distinct patterns in the way that babies behaved, identifying 3 main types of attachment:

• Secure attachment – these babies explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver. They usually show moderate separation anxiety and moderate stranger anxiety. Securely attached babies required and accept comfort from the caregiver in the reunion stage. 60-75% of British babies are classified as secure

• Insecure avoidant attachment – these babies explore freely but do not seek proximity or show secure best behaviour. They show a little under reaction with the caregiver leaves and little stranger anxiety. They make little effort to make contact when the care of a returns and may even avoid the contact. 20-25% of British babies are classified as insecure avoidant

• Insecure resistant attachment – these babies seek greater proximity than others and explore less. They show high levels of strange and separation anxiety but they resist comfort when reunited with the caregiver. 3% of British babies are classified as insecure resistant