The Strange Situation (Mary Ainsworth)

The Strange Situation is a research method developed by Mary Ainsworth to observe an infant's attachment to their caregiver. During this controlled setup, the infant experiences a series of episodes: periods of play, separation from the caregiver, and reunions. These phases reveal how the infant reacts to separation and return, indicating their level of trust and emotional bond. The observed behaviors help classify attachment styles—secure, insecure-avoidant, or insecure-ambivalent—providing insight into how children form emotional connections and handle relationships later in life.