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SSP
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Strange Situation Procedure (SSP), Table 1 The eight episodes of the Strange Situation Procedure (SPSS)
Episode Time length Participants Description
i. 30 s Mother, infant, observer Entering the room
ii. 3 min Mother, infant Infant explores the environment
iii. 3 min Mother, infant, stranger Stranger enters the room
iv. 3 min (approximatively) Infant, stranger First separation
v. 3 min (approximatively) Mother, infant First dyad’s reunion
vi. 3 min (approximatively) Infant Second separation
vii. 3 min (approximatively) Infant, stranger Stranger enters the room
viii. 3 min (approximatively) Mother, infant Second dyad’s reunion
In the 1970s, the SSP was conducted in rooms 2. Group B (subsequently named “secure attach-
with a one-way window to allow simultaneous ment”): infants who were disturbed by the sep-
observation by at least two observers, nowadays aration but managed to adapt and explore the
the procedure is filmed and subsequently coded surrounding, exhibiting a moderate response of
(Van Rosmalen et al., 2015). distress toward the stranger. These children’s
behavior in the SSP was balanced between
Attachment Patterns exploration of the environment and proximity
In the first work with the SSP (Ainsworth & maintenance with the caregiver.
Witting, 1969), the attachment of 14 infants was 3. Group C (subsequently named “insecure
analyzed by studying: (a) whether the infant per- ambivalent attachment”): infants who
ceived (or not) his/her mother as a secure base exhibited extreme maladaptive reactions in
from which to explore a new environment; (b) the the separation/reunion episodes with the
infant’s behavioral responses toward a stranger mother, absent or low interest in exploring the
(e.g., fear, shyness, and comfortableness) in an environment, and extreme reactions of fear and
unfamiliar environment; and (c) the behavioral distress toward the stranger. In particular, in the
and emotional reactions of infants in episodes of reunion moments, these children were difficult
separation and reunion with their mothers, in to calm down, even when the mother picked
unfamiliar surroundings. Ainsworth observed the them up for cuddles and reassurance.
following behavioral parameters in the infant: the
exploration of the surroundings, gaze orientation, Subsequently, Ainsworth’s classification was
crying, reactions to the mother leaving and expanded by Main and Solomon (1986) who
returning to the room (i.e., responses to being added a fourth category of infants’ attachment
picked up and put down), and behaviors toward called disorganized/disoriented. Disorganized
the stranger. According to these indicators, the infants could not fit in Group A, B, or C, because
following attachment categories of infants SSP observation reveals disruptions of the attach-
emerged (Ainsworth & Wittig, 1969; Ainsworth ment system (e.g., contradictory behaviors,
et al., 1971): incomplete movements, anomalous postures,
freezing, and disorientation) linked to previous
1. Group A (subsequently named “insecure- traumatic experiences with the caregiver (Main
avoidant attachment”): infants who did not & Solomon, 1990).
appear disturbed by the separation from the
mother and showed great interest in surround-
ings’ exploration than maintaining proximity Conclusion
with the caregiver, without exhibiting fear or
distress toward the stranger. Even if Ainsworth regretted that SSP has ended up
being more a stand-alone instrument than an
Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) 3