PSYC FPX 2700 Assessment 1 Case Study Analysis

Student Name

Capella University

PSYC-FPX2700 Child Development

Prof. Name:

Date

Case Study Analysis Worksheet

Name: ______________________

Reference Video:
Films Media Group. (2005). Mary Ainsworth: Attachment and the Growth of Love. Films On Demand. https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=107300&xtid=44897

The Main Purpose of This Research

The primary aim of Mary Ainsworth’s research was to understand how early interactions between infants and their caregivers influence the development of attachment patterns. Ainsworth sought to determine how the caregiver’s sensitivity, emotional warmth, and responsiveness during the first few months of an infant’s life impact emotional security and social development in later stages.

This study, grounded in developmental psychology, emphasized that consistent and nurturing caregiving promotes secure attachment, leading to healthier emotional regulation, confidence, and social competence. Conversely, inconsistent or neglectful caregiving often leads to insecure attachment styles, which can manifest as avoidance, anxiety, or resistance in relationships throughout childhood and adulthood.

In essence, the purpose of this research was to contribute to a broader understanding of child development theory, focusing on how early emotional bonds shape behavioral and cognitive growth.

The Point of View

The video aligns with Mary Ainsworth’s theoretical perspective, highlighting the critical role of caregiver sensitivity in shaping attachment outcomes. The research was conducted on 26 middle-class families, focusing on the mothers’ interactions with their infants in various everyday contexts—such as during feeding, crying, play, and separation.

Ainsworth’s ethological approach emphasized that emotional security forms through consistent caregiver responsiveness. The documentary presents the caregiver not merely as a provider of basic needs but as a source of emotional stability and psychological growth. The video advocates for maternal (or primary caregiver) sensitivity as the cornerstone for fostering a child’s ability to explore, trust, and develop cognitively and socially.

The research’s central point of view reflects that secure attachment acts as a protective factor in a child’s overall development, reducing anxiety and enhancing cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

The Arguments (Main Points)

Ainsworth’s “Strange Situation” experiment is the central focus of the study. This structured observation involved mothers and their infants in a controlled environment designed to test the child’s response to separation and reunion.

Summary of the Strange Situation Experiment

Observation Stage	Scenario Description	Child’s Typical Behavior	Attachment Type Identified
1. Introduction & Play	Mother and infant enter a room with toys; infant begins to explore.	The child plays freely while using the mother as a secure base.	Secure Attachment
2. Stranger Enters	Stranger enters and interacts with the mother, then approaches the child.	Child shows curiosity but remains cautious, checking back with the mother.	Secure or Avoidant
3. Mother Leaves	The mother exits the room, leaving the infant with the stranger.	Securely attached infants show distress; avoidant infants show little reaction; ambivalent infants become very upset.	Secure / Avoidant / Ambivalent
4. Mother Returns	The mother re-enters and comforts the child.	Securely attached infants are quickly soothed; avoidant children ignore the mother; ambivalent children remain upset or resist contact.	Secure / Avoidant / Ambivalent

Findings:

66% of children exhibited secure attachment, showing distress at separation but comfort upon reunion.
21% displayed avoidant attachment, showing little distress and avoiding the mother upon her return.
13% showed ambivalent/resistant attachment, displaying intense distress and mixed emotions upon reunion (seeking comfort but also resisting it).

These findings suggest that attachment quality depends heavily on caregiver consistency, warmth, and emotional availability. Children with secure attachments tend to explore more confidently, develop stronger emotional regulation, and achieve cognitive milestones earlier than insecurely attached peers.

Related Theories

A closely related framework to Ainsworth’s work is Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Developmental Theory. Piaget proposed that infants construct knowledge through interaction and exploration of their environment. In the context of Ainsworth’s study, Piaget’s ideas help explain why securely attached children adapt better in the Strange Situation experiment — they have developed object permanence, understanding that their mother still exists even when not visible.

Comparison of Ainsworth’s and Piaget’s Theories

Aspect	Ainsworth (Attachment Theory)	Piaget (Cognitive Development Theory)
Focus	Emotional bond between infant and caregiver	Intellectual development through interaction
Key Concept	Secure vs. insecure attachment	Sensorimotor development and object permanence
Influence on Behavior	Emotional security enables exploration	Cognitive maturity allows better understanding of environment
Application to the Study	Explains emotional responses to separation	Explains cognitive interpretation of the mother’s absence

Integration:
While Ainsworth focused on emotional regulation and the impact of caregiver responsiveness, Piaget centered on cognitive understanding. Together, these theories highlight that both emotional and cognitive factors are intertwined in shaping how children perceive and respond to separations and reunions with caregivers (Berk & Meyers, 2016).

Recommendations for Recreating the Research

If this research were to be replicated today, several enhancements could improve its validity and inclusivity:

Expanded Demographics:
Include participants from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to understand cross-cultural differences in attachment behaviors.
Screening for Developmental Disorders:
Prior to experimentation, conduct screenings to identify conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing issues that may influence attachment-related behaviors. These conditions might cause behaviors that mimic insecure attachment patterns, leading to misclassification.
Incorporation of Technology:
Use modern tools such as eye-tracking technology and biometric sensors to measure emotional responses more accurately (e.g., heart rate, cortisol levels).
Parental Surveys and Interviews:
Collect qualitative data from both parents and pediatricians to provide context on caregiving styles, daily routines, and family stressors.
Longitudinal Follow-up:
Implement a long-term follow-up study to assess how early attachment patterns predict later social, emotional, and cognitive outcomes.

By integrating these methods, researchers could achieve more comprehensive and reliable results, strengthening the connection between early caregiving and developmental trajectories.

References

Berk, L. E., & Meyers, A. B. (2016). Infants and children: Prenatal through middle childhood (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.