-1Ainsworth and Bell (1970)

Secure and Insecure Attachments

The Strange Situation Test

Aims: To investigate individual differences in types of infant attachment using the

Strange Situation test.

Procedure: The Strange Situation test lasts for just over 20 minutes and was used on

American infants aged between 12 and 18 months. The study took place

in a laboratory and the method used was a controlled observation.

The Strange Situation test consists of 8 stages:

Stage People in the Room Procedure

1 (30 seconds) Mother, Infant & Researcher The Researcher brings

the Mother and

Infant into the room

and then leaves.

2 (3 minutes) Mother & Infant The Mother sits down

and the Infant is

free to explore.

3 (3 minutes) Mother, Infant & Stranger A Stranger enters and

talks to the

Mother and the

Infant. The Mother

then leaves the room.

4 (3 minutes) Infant & Stranger The Stranger keeps

trying to talk to

and play with the Infant.

5 (3 minutes) Mother & Infant The Stranger leaves the

room as the Mother

returns. At the

end of this stage the

Mother leaves the

room.

6 (3 minutes) Infant The Infant is alone in

the room.

7 (3 minutes) Infant & Stranger The Stranger returns

and tries to

interact with the Infant.

8 (3 minutes) Mother & Infant The Mother returns and

tries to interact with the

Infant. The

Stranger leaves

the room.

Findings: There were considerable individual differences in behaviour and emotional

response in the Strange Situation.

70% of the infants were categorised as securely attached. 10% of the infants

displayed behaviour of resistant attachment, and the remaining 20%

were classed as having avoidant attachments.

Infants who were classed as securely attached were distressed by their

caregivers absence. There was a clear difference in the infant’s reaction

to the caregiver and to the stranger. Infants who showed behaviour of having a

resistant attachment showed conflicting emotions as they were very

distressed at separation from their caregiver but resisted their caregiver on

reunion. Avoidant attachment was characterised by detachment as the

infants did not seek contact with their caregiver and showed little distress at

separation from their caregiver.

Conclusions: Secure attachment is the preferred type of attachment.

Criticisms: The Strange Situation test was created and tested in the United States and may

be culturally biased reflecting the norms and values of American culture.

Main and Solomon (1986) found that a small number of infants displayed

disorganised attachment (their behaviour fitted none of the three

attachment types).

The Strange Situation was carried out in a laboratory and therefore lacks

ecological validity.