What was Mary Ainsworth trying to determine when she devised an experimental method called the Strange Situation?
A) the nature of gestural communication between mothers and babies
B) aspects of purposeful exploration as the baby investigates a strange environment
C) parental discipline styles in the first year of life
D) the nature of attachment between caretakers and babies
E) the relationship between preschool enrollment and academic achievement

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary Ainsworth devised the Strange Situation experimental method to determine the nature of attachment between caretakers and babies. It involved observing how babies react when they are separated from their mothers and then reunited, under conditions of mild stress, in a laboratory setting. This allowed her to identify different attachment styles, such as secure, insecure-avoidant, and insecure-resistant.

What Was Mary Ainsworth Trying to Determine When She Devised