UNDERSTANDING “THE STRANGE SITUATION" (An exploration of mother & infant attachment)

For many years, researchers have conducted experiments to explore different aspects of infant and mother attachment. One specific experiment that addressed this topic was called The Strange Situation and it was first introduced by a developmental psychologist named M.S. Ainsworth. According to (Mcleod. 2008), the purpose for her work was to “observe the variety of attachment forms exhibited between mothers and infants” (p. 32). This is because she wanted to confirm that different variations of attachment do exist and therefore, the levels and forms between all mothers and their children are not equal.
One specific article that also explored this particular experiment in further detail was called “Attachment, exploration, and separation: Illustrated by the behavior of one-year olds in a strange situation” by M.S. Ainsworth and S.M. Bell. According to the reading, this experiment involved several features that were implemented, in an effort to measure different ways in which attachment between infants and their mothers may be formed. Therefore, the overall purpose of this review is to first provide a summary of these specific features. I will then discuss some of the main points that the authors made about the overall experiment and whether or not I agree with their particular views. Finally, I will discuss different techniques that may be used in order to ensure that children develop healthy attachment with their individual caregivers.

FEATURES THAT WERE USED IN THE STRANGE SITUATION

In an attempt to measure varying levels of attachment between infants and their mothers, researchers chose to use a longitudinal naturalistic investigation via behavioral observation.

METHOD

Subjects included 56 white family-reared infants from a middle-class setting, one sub sample consisting of 23 infants who had been longitudinally researched from birth and were 51 weeks old at the time of the study, along with a second subsample that included 33 independent project infants who were 49 weeks of age.

PROCEDURE

An experiment room was designed so the infants would have an opportunity to exhibit exploratory behaviors in a strange environment but not to the level that it would invoke fear or attachment behavior from the very beginning. These behaviors were observed from an adjoining room through a one-way vision window. Two other instruments that were used to measure and/or record these behaviors were a tape recorder and hand written notes. In total there were eight episodes used to initiate these behaviors, with the first one being the least disturbing for the infants. Other than episode 1 with the initial introduction, each lasted 3 minutes in duration. Researchers also tried to ensure that none of these episodes would be more emotionally disturbing than normal experiences that infants may face each day. A brief summary of all eight of these episodes has also been provided below:

Episode 1 – The parent and infant were both introduced to the experimental room by the observer.

Episode 2 – The parent and infant remained alone in the room. During this time, the parent did not interact while the infant explored the room.

Episode 3 – The stranger entered the room and talked to the parent. She then approached the infant, while the parent left the room inconspicuously.

Episode 4 – This was the first separation episode. Therefore, the stranger closely observed the infants behavior during this time.

Episode 5 – The mother and infant reunited. She greeted and comforted the infant for a minute, and then left again.

Episode 6 – This was the second separation episode, during which time, the infant was left alone.

Episode 7 – This was a continuation of the second separation. The stranger also entered the room and closely observed the infants behavior. 

Episode 8 – This was the second reunion episode. The mother entered the room to greet and comfort the infant, while the stranger left inconspicuously.

MAIN POINTS THE AUTHORS MADE CONCERNING ATTACHMENT

According to the authors, during these episodes, there were also four aspects of behavior that were observed. These were the level of exploration that the infants engaged in, their reactions to the caregiver’s departure, the level of anxiety when being left with a stranger and how they acted when the caregiver returned. The results indicated that there were several different levels and/or forms of attachment that may occur. For instance, the infant’s did not exhibit attachment while their mothers were present and therefore, chose exploratory behavior of the novel. However, the infant’s did appear to exhibit heightened attachment during their mother’s absence and did not choose exploratory behavior of the novel. One other thing that was observed is that the infant’s exhibited a heightened level of attachment, due to being alarmed when left alone with a stranger. After reviewing all of the data which was acquired, the authors also made several main points about the conclusion of this experiment. Some of these are as follows:

1. Attachment is not simply a coincidence and it is determined based on conditions.

2. Attachment can be heightened if the infant feels threatened by the condition.

3. When heightened attachment occurs it is not compatible with exploratory behavior.

4. Attachment may be reduced but will heighten again when reuniting with the caretaker.

5. Attachment levels may also be based on individual differences between each attached pair.

DO I AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THESE MAIN POINTS?

When considering the main points that were made by the authors, I agree with their conclusions. This is because most children do seem to show heightened levels of attachment when exposed to a strange situation and/or person. I think that this is because most infants become reliant on their caregivers continuous presence, while also offering them a safe and familiar environment. If this normal routine is altered by a caregiver’s absence, new environment or the presence of a stranger, then they may show signs of insecurity and therefore, have difficulty with exploration. One other thing that could also affect attachment is that all mothers and children are unique when it comes to individual levels of emotion. These differences could be a direct reflection of many factors which may include biology, and varying home and/or social environments. Since this may be the case, there are also several techniques that can be used to help children develop a healthy level of attachment toward their caretakers.

TECHNIQUES THAT MAY HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP HEALTHY ATTACHMENT

One specific technique that can foster healthy attachment is to remember that it is important to comfort a child when he or she wants to explore the world around them. This will also teach the child that it is okay to exhibit exploratory behavior, because the caretaker is there to offer moral support. Although, this is true, the caretaker should also set boundaries and/or limits for the level of support that will be offered. This can help ensure that the child will continue to develop independence through exploratory behavior and not become totally reliant on the caretaker. A second technique that can be implemented to foster healthy attachment is to learn what developmental milestones a growing child should be accomplishing. This information can help a caretaker determine what conditions and/or other experiences might be acceptable for the child. This means, that if a child chooses to exhibit exploratory behavior, then the condition will be age appropriate and less likely to cause heightened attachment due to fear and/or alarm.   

CONCLUSION

As previously discussed, there are several experiments that have been conducted to measure different aspects of attachment between mothers and their children. One specific experiment that was conducted to address this issue was called "The Strange Situation". Some researchers also believed that in order to measure valid measurements, they would need to conduct this experiment within a laboratory setting, versus that of a home environment. One of the main goals of this experiment was to confirm that different levels of attachment do exist and that these can occur based on different conditions. The researchers measured higher levels of attachment in the infants, when their mothers were absent and when left in the care of strangers. The infants also showed little interest in exploring the novel during these moments. 
Therefore, the results support the idea that infants do form varying levels of attachment to their mothers, when exposed to conditions like novelty and alarm. Furthermore, the overall purpose of this review was to provide a summary of this experiment by discussing the features, main points that were made by the authors, and whether or not I agree with their particular views. Finally, I also discussed specific techniques that may be used to ensure that children develop healthy attachment with their individual caregivers.

References:

Ainsworth, M. S., & Bell, S. M. (1970). Attachment, exploration, and separation: Illustrated by the behavior of one-year olds in a strange situation. Child Development, 41(1), 49-67. Retrieved on May 4 2012 via the Kaplan Library at

http://web.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/ehost/detail?sid=111b4dce-10f2-41cd-9a76-dde59cda38e3%40sessionmgr15&vid=1&hid=12&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=tfh&AN=10398269

McLeod, S. (2008). Simply Psychology: Strange Situation. Retrieved on May 5 2012 via the World Wide Web at http://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html