What research method did Mary Ainsworth develop to study attachment relationships?

Mary Ainsworth developed the Strange Situation Procedure as a systematic way to observe and assess the attachment behaviors of infants and young children in relation to their caregivers. This innovative method involved a series of structured scenarios that included separations and reunions between the child and the caregiver, allowing researchers to classify attachment patterns into categories such as secure, anxious-ambivalent, and avoidant. By carefully observing how children responded in these different situations, Ainsworth was able to identify key characteristics of attachment styles, significantly contributing to our understanding of early emotional bonds and development. The Strange Situation has become a foundational tool in developmental psychology for studying attachment relationships.