Strange situation - Ainsworth

controlled observation study designed to test the security of an attachment by monitoring the following behaviours:

• proximity seeking

• exploration and secure base behaviour

• stranger anxiety

• separation anxiety

• response to union

The procedure has 7 phases after being introduced to the observation room: each of which last 3 minutes

1. child is encouraged to explore

2. a stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child

3. caregiver leaves child with stranger

4. caregiver returns and stranger leaves

5. caregiver leaves child alone

6. stranger returns

7. caregiver returns and is reunited w child.

Distinct patterns in reactions to the situation could be classified into three main types of attachment:

Secure (B) 60-75% - Explore happily but regularly return to CG show moderate distress and stranger anxiety require and accept comfort from CG upon reunion

Insecure-avoidant (A) 20-25% - Explore freely without needing proximity or a secure base show little or no reaction when caregiver leaves and show little stranger anxiety. Do not require any comfort upon reunion

Insecure resistant (C) 3% - Children seek greater proximity than others and therefore explore less. Show huge separation and stranger anxiety but refuse comfort upon reunion with their CG.

Evaluation -

+Reliable - High interobserver reliability, different researchers watching the same behaviour identified the same attachment style features.

+High Validity - the attachment type assigned by the strange situation is highly and accurately predictive of later relationships and experiences

-May not be measuring attachment - Could be measuring temperament or natural disposition instead (Kagan)