Ainsworth's Strange Situation

?
View mindmap
  • Ainsworth's Strange Situation
    • Controlled observation of babies, 8 episodes lasting 3 mins
      • Observed stranger fear, separation anxiety, reunion behaviours + use of mum as secure base
    • 70% secure - high stranger fear, separation anxiety, easily consoled, uses mum as secure base
    • 15% insecure avoidant - low stranger fear, separation anxiety doesn't use mum as secure base, ignores mum on return
    • 15% insecure resistant - high stranger fear, separation anxiety, clingy to mum, difficult to console
    • Attachment type depends on sensitivity of hypothesis - care-giver sensitivity hypothesis
    • Kagan said it was about temperament of child rather than sensitivity of parent - low internal validity
    • Demand characteristics: Mums change behaviours to look like a 'better' mum
    • Culturally biased: Conducted in US so won't have same meaning in countries outside US/Europe
    • Main + Soloman added 4th attachment type - insecure disorganised
      • Show catatonic behaviours + fear caregiver

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Attachment resources »