Ainsworth and the Strange Situation

The video explores attachment theory, focusing on John Bowlby's and Mary Ainsworth's contributions. Bowlby emphasized the importance of a child's attachment to their caregiver, while Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation procedure to identify attachment types. The Strange Situation involves observing a child's reactions to separations and reunions with their caregiver. Ainsworth identified three attachment types: secure, insecure avoidant, and insecure resistant. Securely attached children seek comfort from their caregiver, while insecurely attached children show varying degrees of avoidance or resistance. The classification of these attachment patterns is considered reliable and fundamental to understanding caregiver-child relationships.

Who was the researcher that expanded on John Bowlby's work by exploring different patterns of attachment?

• Erik Erikson

• Jean Piaget

• Sigmund Freud

• Mary Ainsworth

What is the primary purpose of the Strange Situation procedure?

• To measure a child's intelligence

• To activate and assess a child's attachment systems

• To observe children's play behavior

• To teach children how to interact with strangers

In the Strange Situation, what is a key observation made during the reunion episode?

• The child's response to the caregiver's return

• How the child plays with toys

• The child's ability to solve puzzles

• The child's reaction to a stranger

Which type of attachment is characterized by a child being indifferent to the caregiver's return?

• Disorganized attachment

• Insecure resistant

• Insecure avoidant

• Secure attachment

What percentage of infants were found to be securely attached according to Ainsworth's research?

• 50%

• 66%

• 22%

• 12%