Along with John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth was a key researcher around attachment. She is perhaps best known for her Strange Situation Test , which showed how attachment styles can vary between children.
What did Mary Ainsworth do?
Mary Ainsworth is an American-Canadian developmental psychologist, feminist, and army veteran who specialized in child psychology . Ainsworth devised an experiment called the “Strange Situation” in reaction to John Bowlby’s initial finding that infants form an emotional bond to its caregiver.
Who is Mary Ainsworth and what did she do?
Ainsworth elaborated on Bowlby’s research on attachment and developed an approach to observing a child’s attachment to a caregiver . Based on her research, she identified three major styles of attachment that children have to their parents or caregivers.
What is Ainsworth theory?
Ainsworth (1978) suggested the ‘caregiver sensitivity hypothesis’ as an explanation for different attachment types. Ainsworth’s maternal sensitivity hypothesis argues that a child’s attachment style is dependent on the behavior their mother shows towards them .
Who did Mary Ainsworth inspire?
| Mary Ainsworth | Scientific career | Fields Psychoanalysis | Doctoral advisor William E. Blatz | Influences William McDougall John Bowlby |
|---|
What are the 4 stages of attachment?
For example, Schaffer and Emerson suggested that attachments develop in four stages: asocial stage or pre-attachment (first few weeks), indiscriminate attachment (approximately 6 weeks to 7 months), specific attachment or discriminate attachment (approximately 7-9 months) and multiple attachment (approximately 10 ...
How is Mary Ainsworth theory used today?
Ainsworth’s impact on Psychology
Mary Ainsworth’s research work on attachment helps us to understand the child development better. Today, the technique of Ainsworth’s Strange Situation is commonly used in psychiatry and psychology to examine the attachment pattern between mother and a child.
What is the difference between Bowlby and Ainsworth?
Bowlby: Human attachment theory derived from Harlow’s research. Attachment: The connection formed between two individuals over time. ... Ainsworth: Strange Situation research which led to identifying types of attachment: secure, avoidant, disorganized, and resistant attachment.
Attachment may be associated with anxiety, in part, because insecurely attached children are less likely to develop competent emotion regulation and social interaction skills , which in turn places them at risk for experiences that contribute to the development of anxiety.
How did Mary Ainsworth impact psychology?
Ainsworth elaborated on Bowlby’s research on attachment and developed an approach to observing a child’s attachment to a caregiver . Based on her research, she identified three major styles of attachment that children have to their parents or caregivers.
Why is the attachment theory important?
The development of attachment theory is important because it provides a way to understand how secure attachments in early childhood can support children’s future brain development (Siegel, 2012). ... One of the most significant findings was confirmation of the positive impact interactions had on children’s development.
What is attachment theory in relationships?
Attachment theory describes how our early relationships with a primary caregiver, most commonly a parent, creates our expectation for how love should be . Our view of ourself and others is molded by how well these caregivers were available and responsive to meet our physical and emotional needs.
How many sisters did Mary Ainsworth have?
Salter Ainsworth. Mary Ainsworth was born in Glendale, Ohio, in December of 1913 (Biography, 2002). Ainsworth had two younger sisters and “a close-knit family” (O’Connell, 1983, 201).
Where is Mary Ainsworth from?
Mary Salter Ainsworth, (born December 1, 1913, Glendale, Ohio, United States —died March 21, 1999, Charlottesville, Virginia), American Canadian developmental psychologist known for her contributions to attachment theory.
What did Mary Ainsworth like?
Mary Ainsworth was a Canadian developmental psychologist who conducted research in the field of attachment theory and developed the Strange Situation Test .
