Ainsworth’s research

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation

Mary Ainsworth devised an assessment technique known as the Strange Situation to observe the variety of attachment forms exhibited by infants.
The Strange Situation involves a series of eight episodes in which the infant is exposed to separations and reunions with the caregiver and encounters with a stranger.
Three types of attachment were recognised by Ainsworth: secure attachment, insecure-avoidant attachment, and insecure-resistant attachment.

Secure attachment is marked by distress when the caregiver leaves, but the infant is quickly comforted upon their return.
An insecure-avoidant attachment is when the child does not seek contact with their caregiver and appears unaffected by their absence or return.
Infants with an insecure-resistant attachment show a high level of distress when the caregiver leaves. They resist comfort upon return, exhibiting both approach and resistance behaviours.

Ainsworth’s research has universal implications with her work extended into different cultures around the world.
Observations have shown that cultural practises play a significant role in shaping attachment styles, indicating that attachment is not only an innate biological response but also influenced by environmental factors.
For instance, Japanese infants were significantly more likely to be classified as insecure-resistant, possibly due to cultural norms that discourage infants from experiencing separation from their mothers.

Criticisms of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation include the possibility that it measures the quality of the infant-mother relationship rather than the attachment type. There are also concerns that it doesn’t account for the temperament or mood of the child during the test.
Supporters of Ainsworth’s work praise her contribution to our understanding of child development. Her methodology allowed for standardised measurements of attachment styles, leading to more reliable and valid results.