SECTION: Types of Attachment
TOPIC: Attachment
RELEVENT EVIDENCE KEY WORD GLOSSARY
The Strange Situation is a well – known study that has been Secure / Insecure Avoidant / Resistant
adapted and re – studied. The aim was to find key behaviours Attachment
identifying levels of attachment.
In a controlled lab room with a two way mirror so behaviour could Proximity Seeking – closeness to caregiver
be observed separately. They looked at different behaviours: Exploration – confidence to explore
Secure Base – stay by caregivers side to explore
The procedure had seven episodes each lasting 3 minutes. In each,
Stranger anxiety – behaviour towards stranger
the baby would be in varying situations of the caregiver and/or a
Separation anxiety – behaviour when caregiver
stranger.
leaves
Response to Reunion – how they greet the
caregivers return
SUMMARY
The findings were the types of attachment:
Secure Attachment (B) – Babies are able to explore, using
caregiver as a secure base. Show moderate level of separation
and stranger distress. They accept comfort in reunion – most Disorganised Attachment (D) – these infants show
common form of attachment. confused/mixed behaviours due to inconstant
Insecure Avoidant (A) – Babies explore independently leaving care/abuse. They are more likely to develop
caregiver and shows no distress at separation, little stranger psychological disorders in adulthood.
anxiety. At reunion they don’t pay much interest.
Insecure Resistant (C) – Babies explore less and stay close to
caregiver, high levels of distress of strangers and separation. But
A resist comfort when reunited.
they
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
Predictive Validity – The findings of the different types
The Strange Situation may not be valid across cultures as
are able to predict future development.
it was developed in Britain and US (western culture.)
Research showed infants as type B tend to better
Infants have different experiences in different cultures
outcomes - Better in education, socially and adult mental
effecting their responses/bond. (In culture studies
health also less likely to bully. Showing powerful affects.
different levels were found.)
But some researchers believe the strange situation
measures level of genetically influenced anxiety causing
the different behaviours not attachment. Therefore PEEL WEAKNESS
genetic variations effect later development not Other research has suggested there are other attachment
attachment. types (D) – a mix of resistant and avoidant - this
challenges Ainsworth's study of attachment types and
PEEL STRENGTH questions whether the Strange Situation is a useful
method to identify these types.
Reliability + replicability – a trained team of observers
agreed of 94% of the findings. The controlled conditions But this type is unusual and formed from neglect/abuse.
created standardised procedures and behaviour being
looked for was easy to spot. The infants were also tested
with their primary caregiver who they are most likely to
be comfortable with, behaving naturally.
TOPIC: Attachment
RELEVENT EVIDENCE KEY WORD GLOSSARY
The Strange Situation is a well – known study that has been Secure / Insecure Avoidant / Resistant
adapted and re – studied. The aim was to find key behaviours Attachment
identifying levels of attachment.
In a controlled lab room with a two way mirror so behaviour could Proximity Seeking – closeness to caregiver
be observed separately. They looked at different behaviours: Exploration – confidence to explore
Secure Base – stay by caregivers side to explore
The procedure had seven episodes each lasting 3 minutes. In each,
Stranger anxiety – behaviour towards stranger
the baby would be in varying situations of the caregiver and/or a
Separation anxiety – behaviour when caregiver
stranger.
leaves
Response to Reunion – how they greet the
caregivers return
SUMMARY
The findings were the types of attachment:
Secure Attachment (B) – Babies are able to explore, using
caregiver as a secure base. Show moderate level of separation
and stranger distress. They accept comfort in reunion – most Disorganised Attachment (D) – these infants show
common form of attachment. confused/mixed behaviours due to inconstant
Insecure Avoidant (A) – Babies explore independently leaving care/abuse. They are more likely to develop
caregiver and shows no distress at separation, little stranger psychological disorders in adulthood.
anxiety. At reunion they don’t pay much interest.
Insecure Resistant (C) – Babies explore less and stay close to
caregiver, high levels of distress of strangers and separation. But
A resist comfort when reunited.
they
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
Predictive Validity – The findings of the different types
The Strange Situation may not be valid across cultures as
are able to predict future development.
it was developed in Britain and US (western culture.)
Research showed infants as type B tend to better
Infants have different experiences in different cultures
outcomes - Better in education, socially and adult mental
effecting their responses/bond. (In culture studies
health also less likely to bully. Showing powerful affects.
different levels were found.)
But some researchers believe the strange situation
measures level of genetically influenced anxiety causing
the different behaviours not attachment. Therefore PEEL WEAKNESS
genetic variations effect later development not Other research has suggested there are other attachment
attachment. types (D) – a mix of resistant and avoidant - this
challenges Ainsworth's study of attachment types and
PEEL STRENGTH questions whether the Strange Situation is a useful
method to identify these types.
Reliability + replicability – a trained team of observers
agreed of 94% of the findings. The controlled conditions But this type is unusual and formed from neglect/abuse.
created standardised procedures and behaviour being
looked for was easy to spot. The infants were also tested
with their primary caregiver who they are most likely to
be comfortable with, behaving naturally.
