Mary Ainsworth The Strange Situation

Mary Ainsworth "The Strange Situation"

"Outline and evaluate Bowlby's theory of attachment (12 marks)

• Use homework plans
• A01: Describe Bowlby's key features of an attachment. Ensure all key terms are included and well detailed.
• A02: Target grade based. Research to support the role on the continuity hypothesis/internal working model.
• P: One research study is..
• E: In this research, the researcher...
• E: This supports the existence of the.... because...

Which theory do you agree with more?

Tweet it!

Operant conditioning?

Classical conditioning?

Bowlby?

Provide reasons

• Grap a post-it note, in 140 characters of less, tweet @maryainsworth
• Summarise your learning today; discuss the attachment styles and describe the strange situation
• Don't forget a # e.g. #ainsworthrules #ilovepsychology

Measuring types of attachment

The Strange Situation

This study aimed to assess the quality of attachment by placing an infant into a situation of mild stress (to encourage the infant to seek comfort) and of novelty (to encourage exploration behaviours).

Ainsworth believed that infants could be attached to their caregivers in different ways, depending on the behaviour and actions of their caregiver(s).

During the 1970's Ainsworth created an experimental procedure known as the Strange Situation in order to investigate and measure the quality of attachments.

The Procedure

It was a controlled observation. 100 middle class 12-18 month olds and their mothers took part in the study. They were observed using a video camera in a purpose built laboratory playroom to assess their behaviour.

The procedure is standardised, the researchers make eight observations.

During the strange situation, Ainsworth was measuring the child’s reaction to assess four types of behaviour.

In pairs, what what four behaviours was the researcher measuring?

Group Work Activity

1. Secure base behaviour (playing with toys)

2. Separation anxiety

3. Reunion behaviour

4. Stranger Anxiety

Findings

Mary Ainsworth found that all the children observed were classified into three broad attachment types:

• Secure (70%)
• Resistant (10%)
• Avoidant (20%

Let's check progress

• In groups, your task is to replicate the strange situation and demonstrate one of the attachment styles: secure, resistant or avoidant.
• Allocate roles to each group member; narrator, mother, stranger and actor (baby cries and screams)
• Remember the strange situation is in eight steps, in your role play must show each.

Mary Ainsworth studied insecure and secure attachments in infants by using the ‘Strange Situation’.

Describe how Ainsworth studied types of attachment (5 marks)