2. Mary Ainsworth
Her method of assessing
attachment was the
strange situation
Her typology :
(classification system)
Both of these are still
•Secure
used today
•Insecure-Avoidant
•Insecure-Resistant
3. The Strange Situation –
Ainsworth & Bell (1970)
Aimed to investigate the individual differences in
attachment by seeing how babies reacted in conditions
of mild stress
(created by separation from primary caregiver and the presence
of a stranger)
Observed through
Observing video cameras
Ainsworth & infants aged
Bell used a Purpose built play
between 12-18
room
laboratory months
using 2 chairs and play
structured area
observations
8 situations
Mother, child and
stranger
5. What were they looking for?!
1. Separation Anxiety
2. Stranger Anxiety
Amount of distress
Amount of distress
shown when
shown in response to
caregiver briefly
a stranger
leaves
4. Willingness to
3. Reunion Behaviour explore
Behaviour on being Whether the infant
reunited with feels they have a
caregiver ‘secure base’ to
explore environment
6. What did they find?!
Ainsworth et al identified 3 main attachment types
Insecure-Avoidant(15%)
Securely Attached (70%)
Infant does not attempt to
Infant explores the
interact with mother, do not
environment, using caregiver as
show anxiety when left with
secure base. Infant shows
stranger. No reunion behaviour
moderate distress when
when mother returns, infants
separated but is easily soothed,
will explore but doesn’t
infant is wary of stranger.
orientate to mother
Insecure-Resistant (15%)
Infant is very distressed when separated, difficult to console on
reunion. Infant rushes to mother but may show anger. Infant ignores
stranger, limited exploration of environment
7. Summarise Ainsworth’s findings
Separation Stranger
Reunion Behaviour Exploration
Anxiety Anxiety
Some but Enthusiastic, easy High
Secure High (using Mother as
easily soothed to soothe secure base)
Avoids contact –
Insecure-
Indifferent Low doesn’t seek High
Avoidant
contact
Insecure-
Distressed High Seeks and rejects Low
Resistant
8. Ainsworth A02 - Positive
Lots of detail For example, a huge
quickly number of research
studies into attachment
behaviour adopt a
longitudinal approach
which can take months
or even years to draw
Why is this a conclusions
good thing?
9. Ainsworth A02 - Negative
Lacks ecological
What does this mean?
validity
For example, the
‘playroom’ environment
in which the infant was
interacting was both
strange and unfamiliar
to the infants
Why is this a bad
thing?
10. Ainsworth A02 - Negative
Ethical Issues
For example, in episode
6 (which one is that?)
20% of the infants
reportedly cried
‘desperately’, clearly
showing their distress
Why is this a bad
thing?
11. Ainsworth A02 - Negative
The
classification For example, Main &
system doesn’t Solomon (1986) added a
fit all infants fourth type ‘D’
attachment which was
for babies who were
inconsistent and clearly
didn’t fit Ainsworth’s A,
Why is this a bad B or C
thing?
12. Affects and Effects
•Affecting factors in attachment types
•Effect of attachment types on later life
13. Factors that can affect the type
of attachment
Sensitivity Temperament
Hypothesis Hypothesis
14. Sensitivity Hypothesis
The Mother
Ainsworth argued that
In contrast, mothers who
mothers who were
were less sensitive and
sensitive to their infants’
responsive to their
needs, who could read
infants, who ignored them
their moods/feelings and
or were impatient were
respond to them
more likely to have
effectively were more
insecurely attached
likely to produce securely
infants
attached infants
15. Temperament Hypothesis
The Infant
According to this
hypothesis, infants are
Kagan argued Ainsworth’s born with different
explanation placed too individual characteristics
much emphasis on the relating to how active,
role of the mother and emotional and sociable
ignored the natural innate they are naturally.
temperament of the child. It is this rather than the
mother that dictates the
attachment type
16. How early attachment types
shape adult behaviour
Adult
Behaviour at romantic
school behaviour
17. Behaviour at school Adult romantic behaviour
Children who are securely
Hazen & Shaver (1987) –
attached explore their
The Luuuurvve Quiz
environment more, are
better able to deal with
challenging situations and Adults who were securely
are more adept at attached as infants find it
problem solving. relatively easy to get close to
others and are comfortable
depending on others and having
others depend on them.
Insecure-avoidant children Insecure avoidant adults are
often develop behavioural uncomfortable being close to
issues and lack persistence others.
in learning
