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A01: The Strange situation

Ainsworth (1978) believed that the type and quality of attachment depended on the way a mother behaved toward the child

Ainsworth investigated this in a study called the 'Strange situation'

Study

Aim:

Investigated the nature of attachment behaviours and the types of attachment by observing the reactions of young children to brief separations from their mother

Method:

In a controlled observation, infants were exposed to a sequence of 3 minute episodes. The mother and infant were introduced to the observation room by the researcher, then the researcher left the room. The mother played with the infant and later a stranger entered and had a brief conversation with the mother. The mother then left the infant alone with the stranger for a period of 3 minutes . If the infant became very depressed, the mother would return earlier than expected. This sequence of events was repeated with a further 'stranger' episode and the infant's behaviours were recorded throughout.

Result:

Ainsworth classified infants as one of 3 attachment types, 'securely attached', 'anxious avoidant', or 'anxious resistant'. 65% of infants in middle class US samples were found to fall into the secure category,

Ainsworth concluded from her study that there are different types of attachment types and the type of attachment is dependent on the mothers responsiveness and sensitiivty to the child. whilst 15-20% fell into the other 2 categoes

Main (1985)