Ainsworth's strange situation: types of attachment powerpoint AQA practice questions

Ainsworth’s strange situation:
types of attachment

,Key study: the strange situation

● Ainsworth et al (1971, 1978)
● Strange situation used to systematically test the nature of attachment
● The aim = see how infants (aged 9-18 months) behave under
conditions of mild stress and novelty (new and unusual)

,Procedure

● Novel environment - 9x9 foot space often marked into 16 squares to
help record infant’s movements
● 8 episodes, each designed to highlight specific behaviours
● Key feature in episodes = caregiver and stranger alternately stay with
infant or leave

, Episodes (about 3 min duration) Behaviour assessed


1 Parent and infant play -

2 Parent sits while infant plays Use of parent as secure
base

3 Stranger enters and talks to parent Stranger anxiety


4 Parent leaves, infant plays, stranger Separation anxiety
offers comfort if needed


5 Parent returns, greets infant, offers Reunion behaviour
comfort if needed, stranger leaves

6 Parent leaves, infant alone Separation anxiety

7 Stranger enters and offers comfort Stranger anxiety

8 Parent returns, greets infant, offers Reunion behaviour
comfort