Ainsworth’s Strange Situation procedure

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is a research method used to assess how infants respond to separations and reunions with their caregivers in a controlled environment. It involves a series of standardized episodes, including a caregiver leaving the room, the child playing alone, and the caregiver returning. Researchers observe the child’s behavior, such as how they react to the caregiver's absence and presence, which helps identify attachment styles: secure, anxious-ambivalent, or avoidant. This procedure provides insights into the nature of the child-caregiver relationship and the child’s emotional development.