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Ainsworths strange situation - Coggle Diagram
Ainsworths strange situation
definition
it is a controlled observation designed to measure the security of attachment a child displays towards a caregiver
it takes place in controlled conditions with a two way matter to observe the child, each episode lasting for 3 minutes
tested proximity seeking, exploration and secure base behaviour, stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, response to reunion
procedure
caregiver takes the infant to the laboratory and they explore together -
exploration and secure base
a stranger enters and approaches the infant -
stanger anxiety
the caregiver leaves and the stranger interacts with the infant -
separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
the caregiver returns and the stranger leaves -
reunion and secure base
the caregiver leaves so the infant is alone -
separation anxiety
the stranger returns -
stranger anxiety
the caregiver returns and greets the infant -
reuinion behaviour
results
three main types of attachment
Type A
insecure avoidant
20-25%
not upset when mum leaves, shows no interest when mum returns, not anxious with stranger, explores freely - parents value independence
Type B
secure
60-75%
moderately upset when mum leaves, readily comforted when mum returns, a little weary of stranger, explores happily but keeps an eye on mum
Type C
insecure resistant
3%
extremely upset when mum leaves, cross with mum on return and not easily comforted, does not like stranger at all, keeps near mum - comes from inconsistent routines
evaluation
strength - attachment type defined by the SS is strongly predictive of later development. Babies assessed as secure go on to have better outcomes from friendships to romantic relationships. insecure resistant is associated with the worst outcomes, including mental health problems. this increases validity as it can explain consequent outcomes
strength - the SS has good inter-observer reliability. the strange situation takes place under controlled conditions and the behavioural categories were easy to identify. we can be confident that the attachment type given to the baby does not depend on who is observing them
limitation - the test may be culture bound. cultural differences in childhood experiences are likely to mean that children respond differently to the SS. and caregivers behave differently. Takahashi has noted that the SS doesn't work in Japan because Japanese mothers are rarely separated from their mother so there would be high levels of separation anxiety
limitation - the SS doesn't just measure anxiety on attachment but rather temperament. Kagan suggests that the Childs genetically influenced personality of the child influences attachment. this shows that confounding variables can affect the experiment