Question | Answer |
Who were the participants in the original study? 100 American middle-class children & their mothers | 100 American middle-class children & their mothers |
When does the study have to be done (ie how old are the children? Approx 18 months old | Approx 18 months old
| Where is the setting? An unfamiliar room (so not in the child's normal environment) which is set up with toys and cameras to record the observation. | An unfamiliar room
| How is the observation done? In summary the episodes are: 1 caregiver & child enter unfamiliar room, child can play and explore, 2 Stranger joins 3 Caregiver leaves 4 caregiver returns and stranger leaves 5 caregiver leaves child totally alone 6 stranger returns 7 caregiver returns and stranger leaves | the stages
| Why is it called the Strange Situation?As the situation & environment that the child is placed into is unfamiliar. The level increases from a strange room, to a stranger to being left alone. | its strange
| What is the type of observation?Structured, overt, non-participant | Structured, overt, non-participant
| What behaviour is being observed in the Strange Situation?willingness to explore, stranger anxiety, separation protest, behaviour at reunion | 4 behaviours
| What is being measured in the Strange Situation? Attachment type, so children can be categorised as secure, insecure-resistant or insecure-avoidant | Attachment type |