aims of strange situation and results

• controlled observation
• lasted 21 minutes
• 8 stages
• involved the use of 26 middle class american families

To investigate:

• attachment types between mother and baby
• stranger anxiety
• separation anxiety
• renunion behaviour

• 66% type b- secure
• 22% type a- insecure avoidant
• 12% type c- insecure resistant
• type a- not distressed when mum leaves and ignores her when she returns. Is happy around a stranger
• type b- distressed when mum leaves and easily comforted by her on return. avoids stranger when alone but friendly when mum is present
• type c- intensly distressed when mum leaves and resists contact when she returns. fearful of the stranger.

• some babies become distressed around strangers and some arn't bothered by them
• children have different types of attachment
• most children are securely attached, building healthy relationships