The Strange Situation Procedure

Introduction

• Developed by Mary Ainsworth in 1969.
• Used to study attachment in infants.
• Called the Strange Situation Classification (Strange Situation).
• Purpose: Measures the security of attachment in 1-2 year olds through behavioral responses.

The Procedure

• Duration: 20 minutes.
• Setting: Small, neutrally colored room with toys.

Stages

1. Mother, baby, and researcher are together (1 minute).
   • Researcher observes baby's initial confidence and exploratory behavior.
2. Mother and baby alone (approximately 3 minutes).
   • Observation of baby's exploration and proximity to the mother.
3. Stranger joins mother and baby.
   • Observation of baby's response to stranger.
4. Mother leaves, baby and stranger alone.
   • Observation of baby's separation anxiety.
5. Mother returns, stranger leaves.
   • Observation of reunion response.
6. Mother leaves, baby alone.
   • First instance of baby being alone.
7. Stranger returns, baby and stranger alone.
8. Mother returns, stranger leaves.
   • Final reunion response observation.

Measurements

• Observed Behaviors:
  • Proximity and contact seeking.
  • Contact maintaining.
  • Avoidance of proximity and contact.
  • Resistance to contact and comforting.
• Exploratory behaviors: Recorded when the baby explores the environment.

Attachment Types

1. Secure Attachment (70%):
   • Distress when mother leaves.
   • Avoidant of stranger when alone, friendly with mother present.
   • Happy upon mother's return.
2. Ambivalent Attachment (15%):
   • Intense distress when mother leaves.
   • Significant fear of stranger.
   • Approaches but rejects mother upon return.
3. Avoidant Attachment (15%):
   • No interest when mother leaves.
   • Plays happily with stranger.
   • Barely notices mother's return.
4. Disorganized Attachment (added by Main & Solomon in 1990):
   • Inconsistent behaviors.

Ainsworth's Caregiver Sensitivity Hypothesis

• Differences in attachment styles depend on the mother's behavior towards the infant during a critical developmental period.