Types of attachment
Strange Situation – developed by Ainsworth and Bell (1970)
Aim: observe key attachment behaviours as means of assessing quality of babies attachment to
caregiver
Key points:
- Controlled observation (high control of EV’s)
- So measured attachment type systematically
- Takes place in a 9x9 square room
- Marked off into 16 squares in help record infant movement with a two-way mirror and/or
cameras so psychologists can observe
- NOVEL enviroment
Behaviours used to assess attachment:
- Proximity-seeking: baby with good quality attachment will stay fairly close to caregiver
- Exploration and secure-base behaviour: good attachment enables baby is explore, use
caregiver as secure base
- Stranger anxiety: anxiety when a stranger approaches
- Separation anxiety: protest at separation from caregiver
- Response to reunion: securely attached greet the caregiver’s return with pleasure and seek
comfort
7 episodes, each lasts 3 mins and designed to look at particular aspect of attachment behaviour
Findings
- Ainsworth (1978) found distinct patterns in way babies behaved. Identified 3 main types of
attachment:
Secure attachment (Type B)
- Babies explore happily
- Regularly go back to caregiver (proximity-seeking and secure-base behaviour)
- Moderate separation distress and stranger anxiety
- Require and accept comfort from caregiver in reunion stage
- 60-75% of British babies classified as secure
Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)
- Babies explore freely
Strange Situation – developed by Ainsworth and Bell (1970)
Aim: observe key attachment behaviours as means of assessing quality of babies attachment to
caregiver
Key points:
- Controlled observation (high control of EV’s)
- So measured attachment type systematically
- Takes place in a 9x9 square room
- Marked off into 16 squares in help record infant movement with a two-way mirror and/or
cameras so psychologists can observe
- NOVEL enviroment
Behaviours used to assess attachment:
- Proximity-seeking: baby with good quality attachment will stay fairly close to caregiver
- Exploration and secure-base behaviour: good attachment enables baby is explore, use
caregiver as secure base
- Stranger anxiety: anxiety when a stranger approaches
- Separation anxiety: protest at separation from caregiver
- Response to reunion: securely attached greet the caregiver’s return with pleasure and seek
comfort
7 episodes, each lasts 3 mins and designed to look at particular aspect of attachment behaviour
Findings
- Ainsworth (1978) found distinct patterns in way babies behaved. Identified 3 main types of
attachment:
Secure attachment (Type B)
- Babies explore happily
- Regularly go back to caregiver (proximity-seeking and secure-base behaviour)
- Moderate separation distress and stranger anxiety
- Require and accept comfort from caregiver in reunion stage
- 60-75% of British babies classified as secure
Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)
- Babies explore freely
