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Attachment

Ainsworth's Strange Situation and types of attachment

  • 7 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

The Strange Situation procedure and the attachment types it identifies: secure, insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Study

Describe the Strange Situation procedure.

Key term

What characterises secure attachment in the Strange Situation?

Key term

What characterises insecure-avoidant attachment?

Key term

What characterises insecure-resistant attachment?

Who and when

According to Ainsworth, what determines an infant's attachment type?

Evaluation

Give two limitations of the Strange Situation.

Evaluation

Give two strengths of the Strange Situation.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is Ainsworth's Strange Situation?

    Model answer

    A controlled observational procedure designed to assess the quality of attachment between an infant (typically 9-18 months) and their caregiver.

  2. 2

    Why is the Strange Situation conducted in a novel environment such as a laboratory playroom?

    Model answer

    To activate the infant's attachment system, as unfamiliar surroundings trigger attachment behaviours.

  3. 3

    How many episodes does the Strange Situation consist of, and how long does each episode last?

    Model answer

    Eight episodes, each lasting approximately three minutes.

  4. 4

    What happens in the first episode of the Strange Situation?

    Model answer

    The parent and infant enter the room.

  5. 5

    Describe the second episode of the Strange Situation.

    Model answer

    The parent and infant are alone together while the infant explores the room.

  6. 6

    What occurs during the third episode of the Strange Situation?

    Model answer

    A stranger enters the room and talks to the parent.

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