Performed a controlled observation designed to
measure the security of attachment. 5 behaviours
were judged: proximity seeking, exploration,
stranger and separation anxiety, and reunion.
7 stages:
1. Baby encouraged to explore.
2. Stranger comes in and approaches the baby.
3. Baby and stranger left alone.
4. Caregiver returns
5. Baby is left alone
6. Stranger returns
7. Reunion with caregiver
Findings: 3 Attachment types
A: Insecure Avoidant -
Little to no reaction when
caregiver leaves. Makes
little effort and may avoid
contact upon reunion.
15%
B: Secure Attachment - Moderate
separation distress and stranger
anxiety. Requires and accepts
comfort during reunion.
70%
C: Insecure Resistant - Seeks greater levels
of proximity, high levels of separation and
stranger distress. Resists comfort when
reunited with caregiver.
15%
Evaluation
Strengths:
Interreliability between observers.
Predicts aspects of later development.
Showed that securely attached babies
had better later attachments. Suggests
that strange situation measures
something real.
Weaknesses:
May not be valid in other countries.
Lacks population validity. Original study
used American infants which cant be
generalised to other countries.