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Not all attachments are the same. Some infants show healthy, confident attachment behaviour while others appear anxious, avoidant, or disorganised. Understanding the different types of attachment and how they are measured is essential for AQA A-Level Psychology. The most influential method for classifying attachment types is Ainsworth's Strange Situation, and research into cultural variations has raised important questions about the universality of attachment.
Key Definition: The Strange Situation is a controlled observational procedure designed by Mary Ainsworth to assess the quality of attachment between an infant (9–18 months) and a caregiver. It takes place in a novel environment and involves a series of separations and reunions.
Ainsworth et al. (1978) developed the Strange Situation as a method to observe and classify attachment behaviour in infants aged between 9 and 18 months. The procedure took place in a laboratory playroom and consisted of eight episodes, each lasting approximately three minutes.
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