Origins & Early Life

Mary Dinsmore Ainsworth (née Salter; December 1, 1913 – March 21, 1999) was an American-Canadian developmental psychologist known for her work in the development of the attachment theory. Over 40 years she worked closely with John Bowlby, who is credited with pioneering attachment theory. Ainsworth was the first person to develop a validated scientific method to assess attachment, called the strange situation procedure. First applied in 1963, it involves observation of interactions between a child and their primary caregiver.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

From her research with this assessment tool she described three primary patterns of attachment which she originally labelled A, B, and C. These basic patterns continue to be a foundation piece for all major theories of attachment. Her work on attachment science and theory became known as the Ainsworth-Bowlby model, or simply the ABC model of attachment. With the help of others, nine sub-patterns were described in the ABC model by the time of her death. A 2002 Review of General Psychology survey ranked Ainsworth as the 97th most cited psychologist of the 20th century.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Many of Ainsworth's studies are "cornerstones" of modern-day attachment theory.

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