What is the Strange Situation procedure designed to assess, and what attachment patterns are typically identified?

What is the Strange Situation procedure designed to assess, and what attachment patterns are typically identified?

• A. Infant-caregiver attachment security; patterns: secure, insecure-avoidant, insecure-resistant, and disorganized
• B. Measures intelligence quotient of toddlers
• C. Observes motor development milestones
• D. Assesses disciplinary strategies

Answer: (A)

The Strange Situation is an observational method used to assess infant attachment by watching how a toddler reacts to separations from and reunions with the caregiver in a controlled setting. The goal is to see whether the infant uses the caregiver as a secure base and how they cope with stress during the caregiver’s absence and return. From these observations, four attachment patterns are typically identified: secure; insecure-avoidant; insecure-resistant (ambivalent); and disorganized. Secure attachment means the infant is upset when the caregiver leaves but is easily soothed upon return and resumes exploring. Insecure-avoidant shows little distress during separation and avoids the caregiver at the reunion. Insecure-resistant displays intense distress during separation and both seeks and resists contact at the same time when the caregiver returns. Disorganized attachment features a lack of a coherent strategy, with confusing, disoriented, or contradictory behaviors at reunion, often reflecting underlying fear or trauma.

The Strange Situation is an observational method used to assess infant attachment by watching how a toddler reacts to separations from and reunions with the caregiver in a controlled setting. The goal is to see whether the infant uses the caregiver as a secure base and how they cope with stress during the caregiver’s absence and return. From these observations, four attachment patterns are typically identified: secure; insecure-avoidant; insecure-resistant (ambivalent); and disorganized.

Secure attachment means the infant is upset when the caregiver leaves but is easily soothed upon return and resumes exploring. Insecure-avoidant shows little distress during separation and avoids the caregiver at the reunion. Insecure-resistant displays intense distress during separation and both seeks and resists contact at the same time when the caregiver returns. Disorganized attachment features a lack of a coherent strategy, with confusing, disoriented, or contradictory behaviors at reunion, often reflecting underlying fear or trauma.