Psychology Attachment- Types of Attachments & Research (PSYA1)

Ainsworth & Bell Study of Attachment (The Strange Situation)

Summery

• Mother leaves child in unfamiliar environment
• Child is approached by the stranger.
• Mother returns.
• Looks at separation protest, stranger anxiety and reunion behaviour.

Findings

Three patterns of attachment:

• Secure =66%
• Insecure avoidant =22%
• Insecure resistant =12%

 Ainsworth suggested that attachment type was determind by primary care's (mothers) behaviour.

Secure Attachment- Type B

• Upset when mother left.
• Positive, happy when she returned.
• Avoident of stranger but friendly when mother present.

Insecure Avoident- Type A

• Unconcerned by mothers absence.
• Unresponsive when she returned.
• Strongly avoident of mother and stranger.

Inescure Resistant- Type C

• Intensely distressed when mother left.
• Apparent fear of stranger.
• Clingliness mixed with rejection on return.
• Associated with inconsistent primary care.

Evaluation

Weaknesses

Ethnocentric- only middle…