The Strange Situation Procedure

The Strange Situation Procedure is a research method developed by psychologist Mary Ainsworth in the 1970s to assess how infants respond to separation from and reunion with their primary caregivers. In this structured observation, a child is exposed to a series of eight episodes involving their caregiver, a stranger, and a series of separations and reunions. Researchers observe the child’s behavior, particularly their level of distress and how they seek comfort upon reunion. This helps categorize attachment styles—secure, anxious, or avoidant—providing insights into the child’s emotional development and their relationship with caregivers.