Discuss the Strange Situation as a method of measuring attachment.
Updated: 7 days ago
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss the Strange Situation as a method of measuring attachment.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to explain how Ainsworth’s Strange Situation measures attachment and then evaluate how valid, reliable and useful it is as a method. For 16 marks, students should describe the procedure and behavioural indicators sufficiently to show how infants are classified, then devote substantial attention to issues such as standardisation, inter-rater reliability, ecological validity, cultural bias, temperament and ethical concerns.
The current specification explicitly requires Ainsworth’s Strange Situation and the three attachment types, secure, insecure-avoidant and insecure-resistant.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
As this is an original 16-mark discussion question without application, an appropriate allocation is AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10. The official 2021 question evaluating the Strange Situation was assessed entirely through AO3 and identified the key evaluative issues that should form the basis of the discussion here.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of the Strange Situation and how it measures attachment is accurate and generally well detailed. Discussion is thorough and effective, with methodological, cultural and/or ethical issues clearly linked to its usefulness as a measure of attachment. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of the Strange Situation is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. Discussion is mostly effective and relevant issues are developed appropriately. The answer is generally clear and organised but may lack development or focus in places. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of the Strange Situation is present. The response may describe the procedure without clearly explaining how attachment is measured. Discussion is only partly effective and may consist of undeveloped strengths and limitations. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge is very limited or muddled. There may be confusion about attachment behaviours or classifications. Discussion is limited, poorly focused or absent. Specialist terminology is absent or used inaccurately. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: The Strange Situation
Credit relevant knowledge such as:
The Strange Situation was developed by Mary Ainsworth to assess the quality of an infant’s attachment to a caregiver.
It is a controlled observation.
The infant is observed in an unfamiliar environment.
The procedure involves changes in the presence of:
the caregiver
a stranger.
There are periods of separation and reunion between the infant and caregiver.
These situations are designed to produce behaviours that reveal the quality of the infant-caregiver attachment.
Behaviour is systematically observed and used to classify the infant’s attachment.
The current specification identifies Ainsworth’s Strange Situation directly alongside the three attachment classifications.
Behaviours used to assess attachment
Credit relevant behavioural indicators such as:
Separation anxiety
The infant’s response when the caregiver leaves.
Different attachment types show different levels of distress.
Stranger anxiety
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