Ainsworth's Strange Situation:

A controlled observation procedure designed to measure the security of attachment a child displays towards a caregiver
Took place in a room with controlled conditions and a two-way mirror so psychologists could observe
The behaviours used to judge infant attachment included; proximity seeking, exploration and secure base behaviour, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, response to reunion
The procedure has 7 episodes each of which lasts 3 minutes. It begins with the child and caregiver in an unfamiliar playroom

The child is encourged to explore - tests exploration and secure base behaviours
A stranger comes in and tries to interact with the child - tests stranger anxiety
The caregiver leaves the child and stranger together - tests separation and stranger anxiety
The caregiver returns and the stranger leaves - tests reunion behaviour and exploration/secure-base behaviours
The caregiver leaves the child alone - tests separation anxiety
The stranger returns - tests stranger anxiety
The caregiver returns and is reunited with the child - tests reunion behaviour

Ainsworth identified 3 main types of attachment;

Secure attachment - these children explore happily but regularly go back to their caregiver (proximity seeking and secure-base behaviour). They usually show moderate separation distress and moderate stanger anxiety. Securely attached children require and accept comfort from the caregiver in the reunion stage. 60-75% of British toddlers are securely attached
Insecure-avoidant attachment - these children explore freely but do not seek proximity or show secure base behaviour. They show little or no reaction when their caregiver leaves and they make little effort to make contact when the caregiver returns. They also show little stranger anxiety. They do not require comfort at the reunion stage. 20-25% of British toddlers are insecure-avoidant
Insecure-resistant attachment - these children seek greater proximity than others and so explore less. They show huge stranger and separation anxiety but they resist comfort when reunited with their caregiver

	Created by Caitlyn Grayston over 7 years ago

AS level Psychology (Attachment) Note on Ainsworth's Strange Situation, created by Caitlyn Grayston on 11/05/2017.

Ainsworth's Strange Situation