Research on Ainsworth

Mary Ainsworth did a laboratory experiment known as the Strange Situation to find a way to develop a reliable method of measuring quality of attachment. The Strange Situation measures the level of attachment between the infant and the primary caregiver (usually the mother). This is measured because it is found that infants exhibit different behaviours toward their primary caregiver and strangers. This is measured according to the infant's security of attachment to their primary caregiver. The Strange Situation has 8 stages which lasts only 3 minutes, responses given by the infant in each stage is observed and recorded. Since the Strange Situation measures different behaviours that the infant exhibits toward the primary caregiver and the stranger the most important variable that needs to be measured in the experiment is the reaction of the infant towards the primary caregiver when she returns into the room. The infant would have a secure attachment if they showed that they greeted the primary caregiver positively when she returns which is during the eighth stage. The Strange Situation has its benefits as it allows us to identify 3 different types of attachment. From the Strange Situation Mary Ainsworth was able to identify 3 different types of attachment. The types of attachment are Type A (insecure attachment), Type B (secure attachment) and Type C (insecure attachment- resistant). Children with Type A would play independently and do not show distress when the mother leaves or returns while children with type B play independently, do not show much distress when the stranger enters and when the parent leaves them alone with the stranger but shows distress when they are left alone in the room. Children with type B would have a positive reaction when the mother re enters in the case that they accept and require comfort from their mother. Children with Type C would interact and explore less, they would be very distressed when stranger is left alone with them and rushes to their mother once she re enters but resists their comfort.

A large number of studies have confirmed that children categorized as having Type B do better in tests of both intellectual and social development than the other two types hence it has good predictive validity. Cross cultural studies support the findings of The Strange Situation. However the strange situation induces stress on the infant when the stranger is left alone with the baby and when the primary caregiver leaves