The Strange Situation

The Strange Situation is a psychological study developed by Mary Ainsworth in the 1970s to assess infant attachment styles. In a controlled environment, a caregiver and infant are observed during a series of reunions and separations. The infant's reactions to the caregiver's departure and return, as well as their behavior with a stranger, help identify their attachment style: secure, anxious-ambivalent, or avoidant. This research provides valuable insights into emotional bonds formed in early childhood and their implications for later relationships and emotional development.