Strange Situation and attachment types

Start with the procedure

Strange Situation Mary Ainsworth is a useful first mind map for following the observation. It begins with a parent entering a room with a child, the child exploring, and a stranger entering and talking to the mother. Use it to put the events in order before moving on to the attachment types.

For another view, Ainsworth's strange situation sets out the aim and describes a controlled observation using a two-way mirror. Compare the two maps to practice distinguishing the aim from the procedure.

Move on to attachment types

The Strange Situation flashcards cover the procedure, aims, findings and conclusions, as well as secure, insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant attachment. After reading a map, use the cards to recall those terms and connect them with the study.

The Ainsworth mind map includes attachment types, separation anxiety and reunion behavior. Types of Attachment also brings the procedure and attachment types together. These resources offer different ways to organize the material, so you can move between a map and the flashcards as you study.

Check your understanding

The quiz The strange situation asks about the kind of experiment, the room, the stages of observation and a measure of attachment. Try it after looking at the procedure maps. If a question is difficult, return to a map and look for the relevant part before taking the quiz again.

The page also lists quizzes on attachment types and on cultural variations in attachment. They give you other ways to practice using the material shown in the maps and flashcards.

Place the topic in the unit

Strange Situation and attachment types is a section of the Attachment unit in Psychology. The resources on this page let you approach that section through procedures, findings and types of attachment. There are also notes, slides and a flowchart alongside the maps, cards and quizzes. Choose a format that fits what you want to practice next.