Strange Situation

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  • Strange Situation
    • Study
      • 100 middle class American infants and their mothers
        • Stages = 3 mins, except for 1st = 30 secs
          • Observations were recorded
            • Unease  of infant when left = willingness to explore, stranger anxiety  & reunion behaviour
    • Findings
      • 22% = insecure avoidant
        • 66% = securely attached
          • 12% = insecure resistant
    • Attachment Types
      • Insecure avoidant = indifferent to caregiver, unconcerned if absent or not, signs of distress when alone, comforted by caregiver OR stranger
        • Securely attached = stay close to caregiver, distressed when left, easily comforted on return, stranger gave limited comfort
          • Insecure resistant = ambivalent to caregiver and resistant at times
    • Conclusions
      • Significant differences between infants
        • Most American children securely attached
          • Appears to be link between mothers behaviour & infant's attachment type. Suggests mothers behaviour = important in determining attachment type
    • Criticisms
      • Cultural bias
        • Main & Cassidy - identified 4th type of attachment - Type D
          • Ethical issues
            • Ecological Validity
              • Demand Characteristics

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