2023-2025 Year 12 A-Level Psychology Attachment: Ainsworth’s Types Of Attachment
This flashcard set explores Ainsworth’s Types of Attachment through the Strange Situation study. It focuses on how this controlled observation was used to assess the strength and type of attachment between infants and their caregivers.
What is the purpose of ‘the strange situation’ ?
To assess the strength / type of attachment
Key Terms
What is the purpose of ‘the strange situation’ ?
To assess the strength / type of attachment
‘The strange situation’ used what type of observational method?
Controlled observation
What was Ainsworth’s sample when testing the ‘strange situation’ ?
100 middle-class American infants and their mothers
AO3: In what TWO ways could we criticise Ainsworth’s sample?
Ethnocentric (only Americans)
AND
Gender bias (only us...
What four variables were measured in Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation’ ?
Willingness to Explore
Separation Anxiety
Stranger Anxiety
Reunion Behaviour
How did Ainsworth observe the children’s behaviour in each episode?
Through a two-way mirror
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is the purpose of ‘the strange situation’ ? | To assess the strength / type of attachment |
‘The strange situation’ used what type of observational method? | Controlled observation |
What was Ainsworth’s sample when testing the ‘strange situation’ ? | 100 middle-class American infants and their mothers |
AO3: In what TWO ways could we criticise Ainsworth’s sample? | Ethnocentric (only Americans) AND Gender bias (only used mothers) |
What four variables were measured in Ainsworth’s ‘strange situation’ ? | Willingness to Explore |
How did Ainsworth observe the children’s behaviour in each episode? | Through a two-way mirror |
How many episodes were involved in the ‘strange situation’ | 7 |
How long did each episode last in Ainsworth’s strange situation? | 3 minutes |
What occurred in the first episode of the ‘strange situation’ ? | Parent enters room with the child, and the child explores for 3 mins |
What was the first episode of ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Willingness to explore |
What occurred in the second episode of the ‘strange situation’ ? | A stranger enters and joins the parent and infant and tries to interact with the child |
What was the second episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Stranger anxiety |
How was stranger anxiety measured in the ‘strange situation’ ? | Having a stranger enter the room |
What occurred in the third episode of the ‘strange situation’ | Parent leaves the infant with the stranger |
What was the third episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Stranger and separation anxiety |
What occurred in the fourth episode of the ‘strange situation’ | Parent returns and the stranger leaves |
How was reunion behaviour measured in the ‘strange situation’ | By having the mother return |
What occurred in the fifth episode of the ‘strange situation’ | Parent leaves the child alone |
What was the third episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Seperation anxiety |
What is the difference between the 3rd episode and the 5th episode of the ‘strange situation’ ? | In episode 3 the child is with the stranger (measuring seperation + stranger anxiety) WHEREAS In episode 5 the child is completely alone (only measuring seperation anxiety) |
What occurred in the sixth episode of the ‘strange situation’ | The stranger returns |
What is the sixth episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Stranger anxiety |
What occurred in the seventh episode of the ‘strange situation’ ? | Parent returns and stranger leaves |
What was the seventh episode of the ‘strange situation’ measuring? | Reunion behaviour |
“EP3 : The parent leaves the infant with the stranger” What is this episode measuring? | Stranger and seperation anxiety |
“EP1 : Parent enters the room with child, and the child explores” What is this episode measuring? | Willingness to explore |
What 3 types of attachment were identified in the ‘strange situation’ ? | Secure Insecure avoidant Insecure resistant |
Describe a secure infants exploration behaviour | Willing to explore - but uses mother as secure base |
Describe a secure infants reaction to separation | Upset / subdued when mother leaves OR High levels of seperation anxiety |
Describe a secure infants reaction to a stranger when alone | Avoidant of stranger OR Shows high stranger anxiety |
Describe a secure infants reaction to a stranger when with their caregiver | Friendly when caregiver present |
Describe a secure infants reaction when reunited with their caregiver | Positive / happy with mother returns |
What type of caregiver is associated with producing a securely attached infant? | Responsive |
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants exploration behaviour | Willing to explore environment |
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to seperation | Unconcerned by mothers absence |
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to a stranger | Unconcerned, but often avoidant |
Describe an insecure-avoidant infants reaction to reunion | Unresponsive / unconcerned |
What type of caregiver is associated with producing an infant with an insecure-avoidant attachment type ? | Unresponsive |
Describe an insecure-resistant infants exploration behaviour | Low willingness to explore |
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to seperation | Intensely distressed OR High seperation anxiety |
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to strangers | Extreme fear of strangers OR High stranger anxiety |
Describe an insecure-resistant infants reaction to reunion | Clinginess mixed with rejection |
What type of caregiver is associated with producing an infant with an insecure-resistant attachment type ? | Inconsistent |
AO3: How could we criticise the method used by Ainsworth's ‘strange situation’ | Lacks ecological validity |
AO3: How could we praise the method used by Ainsworth's ‘strange situation’ | High in reliability as standardised procedures |
What 2 elements of Ainsworth's procedure is standardised? | The order of each episode OR The length of each episode (3 mins) |
Which attachment type is unconcerned by a mothers absence? | Insecure-avoidant |
Which attachment type is extremely fearful of strangers? | Insecure - resistant |
Which attachment type would show positive behaviours when reunited with their mother | Secure |
Which attachment type would display low willingness to explore their environment? | Insecure resistant |