- Observer takes mother and infant into room, then leaves (30 secs)
- Mother allows baby to explore – stimulates play if necessary (3 mins)
- Stranger enters room, stranger is silent (1 min)
- Stranger converses with mother (1min)
- Stranger approaches baby (1 min) – then mother leaves
- Stranger’s behaviour geared to baby (3 mins – or less if baby becomes distressed)
- Stranger leaves, mother returns and greets and/or comforts baby – settles baby in play – leaves, saying “bye-bye”( 3 mins – more if needs to settle)
- Baby is alone (3 mins – less if distressed)
- Stranger enters – gears behaviour to that of baby (3 mins – less if distressed)
- Mother enters, greets and picks up baby – stranger leaves (3 mins)
(based on Ainsworth & Wittig, 1969)
