Key research: Ainsworth and Bell (1970)

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  • Created by: Rosa335
  • Created on: 18-06-17 15:17
Ainsworth and Bell - Outline the aim of this study
To observe in a lab situation the attachment behaviours of a child using the strange situation as an illustration of these behaviours.
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Ainsworth and Bell - Outline the sample used
56, white, middle-class infants and their mothers. 23 were observed from birth and were 51 weeks old when put into strange situation. 33 were ppts from different study and were observed when they were 49 weeks old.
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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during episodes 1 and 2?
1) Mother carries baby into room, observer follows then leaves 2) Mother puts child down in specific place and sits down quietly in chair, only participates if child seeks attention
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Ainsworth and Bell -What happened during episode 3?
Stranger enters, sits for one minute, talks to mother for 1 min. and approaches baby with a toy; mother leaves at end of 3 minutes
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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during 4?
Stranger sits if baby happy; if baby inactive stranger engages with toys; if baby distressed, stranger tries to distract and comfort, for 3 min unless child becomes distressed and cannot be comforted
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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during episode 5 and 6?
5) Mother enter and waits at door for baby to see and respond; stranger leaves; once child is settles with toys mother leaves says: Bye Bye 6) Baby left alone for 3 min unless distressed
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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during episode 7 & 8?
7) Stranger sits if baby happy; if baby inactive stranger engages with toys; if baby distressed, stranger tries to distract and comfort, for 3 min unless child becomes distressed and cannot be comforted 8) Mother returns stranger leaves
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Ainsworth and Bell - How were results recorded?
2 observers described the behaviour by speaking into a tape recorder. This picked up a timer click at 15s intervals. Recordings were transcribed and coded. 4 cases additional coding was made to check for reliability (very high)
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the findings in relation to exploratory behaviour
Decreased when stranger entered. During episode 5 visual and manipulatory play increased with mother but no increase with stranger in episodes 7&4
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the findings in relation to crying
No significant increase during episode 3 increased during episode 4, decrease during episode 5 and increased during episode 6, no increase during episode 7
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the findings in relation to search behaviour during separation
peaked during episode 6
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the findings in relation to proximity seeking and contact maintaining behaviour
contact-maintaining peeked during episodes 5 & 8. Less frequent and strong towards stranger
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the findings in relation to contact resisting and proximity avoiding behaviour
Contact resisting about 1/3 during the 1st return and 1/2 2nd return. These children also scored highly in maintaining behaviours. Approx 1/3 avoid stranger during episode 3, this then declined.
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Ainsworth and Bell - outline the conclusions made
In unfamiliar situations avoidance or approach behaviour is influenced by the proximity of the mother. In threatening situations attachment behaviours increase. Attachment figure is used as a secure base for exploration by the infant.
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Card 2

Front

Ainsworth and Bell - Outline the sample used

Back

56, white, middle-class infants and their mothers. 23 were observed from birth and were 51 weeks old when put into strange situation. 33 were ppts from different study and were observed when they were 49 weeks old.

Card 3

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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during episodes 1 and 2?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Ainsworth and Bell -What happened during episode 3?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

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Ainsworth and Bell - What happened during 4?

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Preview of the front of card 5
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