Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Created by: RobynBraun1
Created on: 23-05-22 18:04

Aim

To observe and classify different attachment types.

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Procedure

A controlled observation was used, whereby different 'scenarios' were introduced and the effect on behaviour recording.

Behaviours recorded included proximity-seeking (infant staying close to the caregiver); exploration / secure base behaviour (infant fe

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Findings

There were three distinct 'patterns' of behaviour shown by the infants, which Ainsworth classified as follows:

- Secure attachment: the majority of infants - 60-75% - in the (British) sample showed these behaviours. They were happy to explore and use the

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Conclusion

Attachment can be classified as one of three distinct types. The vast majority of children can be classified as having one of these three attachment types.

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Evaluation
(Strength)

Babies classified as 'secure' are more likely to have successful relationships in later life, supporting the validity of the explanation.

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Evaluation
(Strength)

Inter-rater reliability (where two or more observers record the same things and compare the degree of agreement) was high, suggesting that the controlled nature of the study and the behavioural categories were appropriate and reliable.

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Evaluation
(Weakness)

The procedure of the study was culture-biased, as it was affected by Western methods of child-rearing. Infants from other cultures may be raised differently (e.g. being more or less separated from the caregiver; having more or less interaction with strang

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Findings

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Ainsworth's Strange Situation