Strange situation

Strange situation

1. The security of attachment in one- to two-year-olds were investigated using the 'strange situation' procedure, in order to determine the nature of attachment behaviours and styles of attachment.

2. Ainsworth developed an experimental procedure in order to observe the variety of attachment forms exhibited between mothers and infants.

   • The experiment is set up in a small room with one way glass so the behaviour of the infant can be observed covertly. Infants were aged between 12 and 18 months.
     • The sample comprised about 100 middle class American families.
       • Observing the behaviour of the infant in a series of eight episodes lasting approximately 3 minutes each:
         • (1) Mother, baby and experimenter (lasts less than one minute).
         • (2) Mother and baby alone.
           • (3) Stranger joins mother and infant.
         • (4) Mother leaves baby and stranger alone
         • (5) Mother returns and stranger leaves.
         • (6) Mother leaves; infant left completely alone.
           • (7) Stranger returns.
         • (8) Mother returns and stranger leaves.

3. Results - Attachment Styles

   • Ainsworth (1970) identified three main attachment styles, secure (type B), insecure avoidant (type A) and insecure ambivalent/resistant (type C).
   • Secure Attachment (B)
     • Ambivalent (resistant) Attachment (C)
       • Infant shows signs of intense distress when mother leaves
       • Infant avoids the stranger - shows fear of stranger.
       • Child approaches mother, but resists contact, may even push her away
       • Infant cries more and explores less than the other 2 types
       • seeks and resists intimacy
         • High levels of anxiousness
     • Separation Anxiety Distressed when mother leaves.
     • Stranger Anxiety - Avoidant of stranger when alone, but friendly when mother present
     • Reunion behaviour - Positive and happy when mother returns.
     • Other Will use the mother as a safe base to explore their environment.
   • Avoidant Attachment (A)
     • Infant shows no sign of distress when mother leaves.
     • Infant is okay with the stranger and plays normally when the stranger is present
     • Infant shows little interest when mother returns.
     • Mother and stranger are able to comfort the infant equally well.