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 caregivers and babies

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary Ainsworth devised the "Strange Situation" to determine the nature of attachment between caregivers and babies. This involved observing how babies react to separations and reunions with their caregivers in a controlled lab setting. Ainsworth's work on attachment styles has been influential in the field of developmental psychology.

What Was Mary Ainsworth Trying to Determine When She Devised