Strange Situation test

Who conducted this research

Ainsworth (1978)

Generalisability

AO1

Ainsworth’s aim was to test how different infants responded to separation anxiety and strangers. The sample included 106 children from middle class US families, all aged 12-18 months, who all completed the Strange Situations Test. 

AO3

Sample is not representative of the wider population, therefore must generalise with caution 
Data is ethnocentric, which reduces cross-cultural validity, as behaviours may be interpreted differently by different cultures. There are cultures that don’t separate naturally from their children (e.g. co-sleeping in Africa and Latin America) so the Strange Situations test may not be culture specific or applicable outside the western US society. Cannot make an etic assumption about other parenting styles 

Reliability

AO1

The Strange Situations test used structured observations across 8 3-minute episodes – involving the entry and exit of a stranger, and entry and exit of the infant’s mother across the time period. Data was collected by a group of researchers behind a one-way mirror. They recorded the experiment and used time-sampling (every 15 seconds) using behavioural categories  

AO3

Said to be high in reliability as followed a standardised procedure – for example specific instructions and timings for when each adult should enter/leave the room (every 3 minutes). This would allow her procedure to be replicated, and similar findings obtained. (However, an unpredictable factor if mothers returned to the room earlier if baby was in intense distress) 
Having multiple experimenters and raters allows cross-checking, and improves inter-rater reliability 

Applicability

AO1

Found that there were 3 different attachment styles. The first is secure attachment (Type B), which includes 70% of infants. These children used their mother as a safe base to explore, experiencing positive reunion behaviours with them – also experiencing separation anxiety when apart. Type A children had avoidant attachment (20%). These children showed no separation anxiety, and no distress around the stranger. They also did not demonstrate any reunion behaviours. Type C children had resistant attachment (10%), where they showed severe distress and separation anxiety when apart, however pushed mother away and resisted contact when there.

AO3

Doesn’t consider how attachment can change over time, as only assesses babies aged 12-18 months. Therefore, may limit applicability to adults/children later in life. 
Could have possibility for huge positive impacts on caregiving and parenting styles, encourage positive behaviours in parents to ensure they form secure attachments with their children. This will impact the infant’s relationships later on in life.  

Useful information for practitioners to improve safeguarding within organisations such as schools - alert to behaviours that might suggest damaging attachment styles or issues in parenting 

Validity

AO1

Concluded that the primary caregiver’s behaviour determines the attachment style of the child – if this is sensitive and consistent, the child will be securely attached, and if this is inconsistent or rejecting, the child will form an insecure attachment 

AO3

Ecological validity high for cultures in which children attend daycare or nursery (perhaps more Westernised), as the experiment was representative of a nursery setting. 

Controlled environment allowed great control over extraneous variables that could impact the validity of the results – for example Ainsworth could ensure that no one else would enter the room at the time of the experiment. This raises the internal validity of the results. However subjective interpretation of behaviour required and time sampling technique may mean some data is missed

The one-way mirror and covert observation improved the validity of the results, ensures natural behaviours 

Ethics

AO1

Protection from harm definition, lack of protection from harm for the babies 

AO3

Causes distress to the infant, especially during separation episodes. Both Type B and C children experience distress when separated from mother, so this equates to 80% of the children in Ainsworth’s experiment experiencing distress.  
However, the parents gave fully informed consent to be a part of the study.