Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation Experiment

Photo by Alex Pasarelu on Unsplash

Mary Ainsworth, a pioneering developmental psychologist, played a crucial role in bringing the theory of attachment, initially proposed by John Bowlby, into empirical research through her innovative “Strange Situation” experiment.

Conducted in the late 1960s, this procedure was designed to observe the variety of attachment styles between infants and their caregivers.

The Strange Situation experiment is a structured observational study that assesses how infants react to a series of separations and reunions with their caregiver, providing insights into the nature of their attachment bond.

A Chronological Explanation of How The Strange Situation Unfolds

Pre-separation (Stage 1 & 2):

1. Introduction and Settling In (Stage 1): The experiment begins with the caregiver and infant entering an unfamiliar playroom, allowing the child to get used to the new environment. This setting is designed to slightly elevate the child’s need for security.