Type of Attachment

Type of Attachment

1. Ainsworth and Bell (1970)

   • Aim: to produce a method for assessing quality of day care
   • Procedure: 100 middle class, American infants + mothers, controlled observations. Create a lab environment of a 'home'. Baby placed in room and baby's behaviour was observed when the mother left the room
   • They observed the 1. seperation anxiety: unease infants shows when left with stranger 2. Infants willingness to explore their environment 3. Stranger anxiety: the infant's response to the presence of a stranger 4. Reunion behaviour: the way the caregiver was greeted on return
   • Conclusion: American children are mostly securely attached. Distinct association between the mother's behaviour and the infants attachment type. Mothers behaviour builds the basis for future relationships.

2. Type A

   • Avoidant Insecure 22%
     • Child did not orientate to their mother while exploring the room and toys. Did not seem concerned by the mothers absense. Showed little interest when the mother returned. Avoided the stranger, but not as strongly as they avoided the mother. Mother ignored the child sometimes.

3. Type B

   • Securely Attached 66%
     • The infants would explore the unfamiliar room. Subdued when the mother left and greeted her positively (smiling, grinning, hugs) when they returned. There was a moderate avoidance to the stranger, but friendly when the mother was present. The mother was described as sensitive.

4. Type C

   • Resistant Insecure 12%
     • Infants should intense distress when their mother was absent and rejected the mother when she returned (crying, reversing to be hugged)