Types of attachment

What did Ainsworth aim to study in her Strange Situation?

Assess the security of baby’s attachment to caregiver through attachment behaviours

What setting did the Strange Situation take place?

Took place in a room with a camera that psychologists could observe behaviour with

What behaviours did Ainsworth look for?

• Proximity-seeking

• Secure-base behaviour and exploration

• Stranger anxiety

• Separation anxiety

• Reunion behaviour

What is proximity-seeking?

A baby with a good quality attachment will stay close to a caregiver

What is secure-base behaviour and exploration?

A baby with a good quality attachment feels confident to explore as their caregiver is seen as a secure base

What is stranger anxiety?

Securely attached babies experience anxiety when a stranger approaches

What is separation anxiety?

Securely attached babies protest at separation from caregiver

What is reunion behaviour?

Securely attached babies greet the caregiver’s return with pleasure and seek comfort

What were the 7 different episodes in the procedure?

1. Baby encouraged to explore

2. Stranger comes in, talks to caregiver and approaches baby

3. Caregiver leaves baby and stronger together

4. Caregiver returns and stranger leaves

5. Caregiver leaves baby alone

6. Stranger returns

7. Caregiver returns and is reunited with baby

What was the procedure?

In an unfamiliar room, psychologists played out 7 scenarios where they tested the different attachment behaviours

What did Ainsworth find?

The types of attachment

What are the types of attachment?

• Secure

• Insecure-avoidant

• Insecure-resistant

What is secure attachment characterised by?

• Babies happily explore but regularly return to caregiver

• They show moderate separation and stranger anxiety

• They require and accept comfort from caregiver

What percentage of the population is classified as secure?

60-75%

Why is secure attachment desirable?

It is associated with psychologically healthy outcomes

What is insecure-avoidant attachment characterised by?

• Low anxiety but weak attachment

• Babies explore freely but do not seek proximity or display secure-base behaviour

• They show little stranger and separation anxiety, and do not display reunion behaviour

What percentage of the population is classified as insecure-avoidant?

20-25%

What is insecure-resistant attachment characterised by?

• High anxiety and strong attachment

• Babies seek greater proximity than others, therefore explore less

• They show higher levels of stranger and separation anxiety, but resist comfort when reunited with caregiver

What percentage of the population is classified as insecure-resistant?

3%

How are attachment types a good predictor for babies’ later development?

• McCormick et al. (2016) found securely attached babies tend to have better outcomes than others in childhood and adulthood - in childhood, better educational achievements and less involvement in bullying.

• Ward et al. (2006) found securely attached babies have better mental health as adults.

How does the Strange Situation have good inter-rater reliability?

• Bick et al. (2012) found 94% agreement over attachment types.

• High level of reliability due to controlled conditions and behaviour are easy to observe.

• Therefore, we can be confident that attachment types are assessed accurately.

How has the Strange Situation stimulated further research?

• Main & Solomon (1986) identified Type D attachment - a disorganised mix of resistant and avoidant behaviours.

• Type D babies are very unusual and would generally experience some form of of severe neglect/abuse - most will experience psychological disorder in adulthood.

How may Strange Situation may not actually be measuring attachment?

Kagan (1982) suggests genetically-influenced anxiety levels could account for variations in attachment behaviour in Strange Situation and later development.

Why may Strange Situation not be valid for all cultures?

• Strange Situation was developed in the US and UK - may be culture-bound as babies of other cultures may have different experiences that affect behaviour.

• Takahashi (1986) found babies displayed very high levels of separation anxiety - disproportionate number classified as insecure-resistant

• Takahashi suggests this anxiety response was not due to high rates of attachment insecurity, but because mothers and babies are rarely separated in Japan.

• Difficult to know what Strange Situation is measuring when used outside Western culture.