Critically consider the Strange Situation as a measure of attachment type.

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Critically consider the Strange Situation as a measure of attachment type.

The Strange Situation, in which infants are exposed to eight different episodes involving the mother and/or a stranger, is widely used to test attachments, although there are many different views regarding its validity and reliability.

In order for the Strange Situation to be considered reliable, a child tested at different times should produce the same reaction every time; this was supported by Main, Kapland and Cassidy’s 1985 study which found that 100% of infants who had been securely attached before 18 months were still securely attached at 6 years, and 75% of those who had been anxious-avoidant remained so. One interpretation of attachment type (based on the Strange Situation) is that it is a fixed characteristic and therefore cannot be changed, but if there is a change in family circumstances this is often not the case.

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Attachments to mothers and fathers have been proven to be independent – Main and Weston (1981) found that children reacted differently depending on which parent they were with. This shows that the attachment types shown by the Strange Situation are based on qualities of distinct relationships as opposed to a child’s characteristics. The Strange Situation places infants into one of three categories, however Main and Solomon (1986) argued that a fourth attachment type, called disorganized and disorientated, was displayed in a small number of children. Their behaviour was a confusing mixture of approach and avoidance, and they generally were ...

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