AINSWORTHS STRANGE SITUATION

AINSWORTHS STRANGE SITUATION

1. AIM/PROCEDURE

   • To investigate individual differences in attachment
   • Infants aged 12-18 months observed through video cameras in a lab playroom with their mothers. Room contained two comfortable chairs and play area with set of toys
   • 1. Mother and infant enter room
     • 2. A stranger enters and talks to mother
       • 3. Stranger approaches infant and attempts to play and interact
         • 4. Mother leaves room - leaving child alone with stranger who offers to play
           • 5. Mother returns, stranger leaves
             • 6. Mother leaves - child is briefly alone
               • 7. Strange re-enters and tries to play with child
                 • 8. Mother returns and stranger leaves

2. FINDINGS

   • SECURE ATTACHMENT (TYPE B) : 70%
     • SEPERATION ANXIETY : distressed when mother leaves
       • REUNION BEHAVIOUR : positive and happy when mother returns
         • STRANGER ANXIETY : avoidant of stranger when alone but friendly when mother present
           • OTHER : use mother as safe base to explore environment
   • INSECURE-AMBIVALENT (TYPE C) : 15%
     • SEPERATION ANXIETY : infant shows sign of intense distress
       • REUNION BEHAVIOUR : child approaches mother but resists contact - may push her away
         • STRANGER ANXIETY : avoidant and fearful of stranger
           • OTHER : infant cries more and explores less than other attachment types
   • INSECURE-AVOIDANT (TYPE A) : 15%
     • SEPERATION ANXIETY : infant shows no distress when mother leaves
       • REUNION BEHAVIOUR : infant shows little interest when mother returns
         • STRANGER ANXIETY : infant not avoidant of stranger - plays normally in their presence
           • OTHER : mother and stranger able to comfort infant equally well