STRANGE SITUATION- MARY
AINSWORTH
Colton and Courtney
WHO WAS INVOLVED?

Mary Ainsworth

Sylvia Bell


Infants ranging in age from 12-18 months
Mothers of infants
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?




To investigate the attachment of young children
with their mothers
How attachments vary between infants and
mothers
Study different types of attachment
See if infant would “explore” their surrounding
and seek security
PROCEDURE

(1) Leave mother and infant alone.

(2) A stranger joins mother and infant.

(3) Mother leaves infant and stranger alone.

(4) Mother returns and stranger leaves.

(5) Mother leaves and infant is left completely alone.

(6) The stranger returns.

(7) Mother returns and the stranger leaves.
WHAT WERE THEY LOOKING FOR?

1- Separation Anxiety in the infant

2- Will the infant explore the room?

3- Stranger Anxiety

4- Reunion Behavior
CLASSIFICATIONS- TYPES OF ATTACHMENT
Secure
Attachment
Resistant/
Ambivalent
Attachment
Avoidant
Attachment
Separation Anxiety
Distressed when
mother leaves.
Infant shows signs
of intense distress
when mother
leaves.
Infant shows no
sign of distress
when mother
leaves.
Stanger Anxiety
Avoidant of
stranger when alone
but friendly when
mother present.
Infant avoids the
stranger - shows
fear of stranger.
Infant is okay with
the stranger and
plays normally
when stranger is
present.
Reunion Behavior
Positive and happy
when mother
returns.
Child approaches
mother but resists
contact, may even
push her away.
Infant shows little
interest when
mother returns.
Other
Mother is used as a
safe base to explore
their environment.
Infant cries more
and explores less
Mother and
stranger are able to
comfort infant
equally well.
% of infants
70
15
15
RESULTS- WHAT WAS DISCOVERED?




Behavior was determined by the mother (primary
care giver)
Infants who were “”securely attached” received
immediate care from mothers.
Infants who were classified as “Insecure
Resistant” attached did not always receive
immediate care from their mothers
Infants who were classified as “Insecure
Avoidant” rarely got a response from their
mothers when they were in need
RESULTS CONTINUED


Provided empirical evidence of Bowlby’s
Attachment theory
Securely Attached Children  positive view on
themselves

Avoidant Children  undeserving

Resistant Children  negative self image
HOW DID IT CHANGE PSYCHOLOGY?

Became the accepted procedure to determine
type of attachment to the mother

Unethical

Biased
Example of secure attachment
REFERENCES
http://www.simplypsychology.org/maryainsworth.html
 http://psychology.about.com/od/loveandattraction/
ss/attachmentstyle_2.htm
 http://www.enotes.com/gale-psychologyencyclopedia/strange-situation
 http://www.parentingscience.com/strangesituation.html
