A friendly lab assistant escorted 12-month-old Cassie and her mother into a research playroom containing special mirrors and hidden equipment to videotape their interactions. After providing instructions, the lab assistant left the mother and Cassie alone, beginning a short procedure to study their interactions. Soon a female stranger entered the room and began playing with Cassie. After a few minutes, the mother left the room and Cassie was alone with the stranger. The mother returned briefly, then left again; finally, the stranger left the room and Cassie was alone. The lab assistant decided to stop the procedure at this point; she ushered the mother back into the room to pick up Cassie.During each short separation from her mother, Cassie cried and wailed. The first time Cassie cried,
her mother responded with surprise and concern, returning almost immediately. She was not able to soothe Cassie, who alternated between clinging to her mother and pushing her away angrily, crying all the while. "It's all right, baby doll, I love you love you love you. If you don't cry I'll give you a big hug when I come back," promised her mother before leaving the room for a second time. After the second separation Cassie continued to cry as her mother, clearly annoyed, waited for her to stop. "See? I came back. Learn to be a big girl.""Is Cassie upset today?" asked the lab assistant when she ended the procedure. "No, she's always like this," her mother answered. "My Cassie is quite a handful. She's what my mother calls ‘spirited.' She's unpredictable and strong willed. She'll eat when she's ready and she'll nap when she's ready-and that changes all the time. My mother says I was the same way. I love my little girl, but sometimes I just need space. She's very clingy. It will be better when she grows up a bit."What was this procedure intended to study? How? Why? Why do you think the lab assistant decided to stop the procedure after the second separation?
What will be an ideal response?
Suggested Answer: This was an example of the strange situation procedure conducted by Mary Ainsworth. It was supposed to study infants' attachment by monitoring the infant's responses when strangers enter and leave the room and responses when the mother enters and leaves the room.
You might also like to view...
What substance is found in the end bulbs?
A. neurotransmitters B. sodium ions C. inhibitory sodium D. L-dopa
Why have psychologists questioned the practice of using projective tests to measure personality?
a. Evaluators very often agree on how to interpret an individual test. b. Evaluators often do not agree on how to interpret an individual test. c. Because using trait inventories is preferred for insurance purposes. d. These tests often provide disturbing details about a person's unconscious.
A crucial component of flooding is _____, in which therapists prevent clients from performing their typical avoidance behaviors
A) response intention B) response prevention C) reactive prevention D) ritualistic intention
Natasha is learning ballet and is just starting
on high-speed spins. Her teacher tells her that to avoid motion sickness, she should ________. a) avoid poisons that mimic dizziness b) try plugging her ears when she spins so that sounds don't distract her c) try to focus on some distant point d) hold her arms over her head