Strange situation evaluation

GOOD PREDICTIVE VALIDITY - it can predict how a child will turn out. 

A large number of studies such as Ainsworth and Bell (1969) have confirmed that children classified as having secure attatchment will do better in tests of intellectual and social development than those classified as avoident or resistant. 

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FOR THE DISORGANIZED ATTATCHMENT STYLE - MAIN AND HESSE (1990) 

Argued that parents who act as figures of both fear and reassurance to a child contribute to disorganized attatchment style. 

- Child feels both comforted and frightened by parent = CONFUSION. 

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS - not accepted under current guidelines

Causes mild distress to the child. 

STAGE 6 - 20% of infants cried "desperately"

TEMPERAMENT IS ALSO IMPORTANT

Affects results in the anxiety-provoking stages of the Strange Situation 

We therefore need to be cautious about labelling a child as insecurely attatched just based on how much anxiety they show when separated from the caregiver. 

It may be that some children are more resiliant to stress and therefore an incorrect label may be given to them.