Attachment - Schaffer's stages

Question 1

Stages of attachment

Answer 1

Developmental theories identify a sequence of different behaviours linked to age

Question 2

Schaffer & Emerson’s study (attachment stages)

Answer 2

Attachment of 60 babies in their home & questioned mothers about interactions and anxieties. Identified 4 stages of attachment

Question 3

Stage 2

Answer 3

Indiscriminate - 2-7 months, clear preference for humans, recognise caregivers, accept comfort from all with no separation or stranger anxiety

Question 3

Stage 1

Answer 3

Asocial - first few weeks of life, same behaviour around all humans & inanimate objects

Question 4

Stage 3

Answer 4

Specific - 7 months, attachment to 1 caregiver (primary), show separation and stranger anxiety

Question 5

Stage 4

Answer 5

Multiple - extend behaviours to multiple attachments (secondary), 29% form within 1 month of specific attachment stage

Question 6

Strength of stages of attachment

Answer 6

Useful (practical application for real world to reduce stress on working mothers -> knowledge of stages favours interaction in indiscriminate stage & provides comfort knowing the infant won’t stress without them -> reduces stress)

Question 7

Limitations of stages of attachment

Answer 7

Unable to draw proper conclusions on asocial (uncoordinated movements & behaviour -> unable to tell if it is intentional -> limits understanding of asocial stage)
Conflicting evidence on multiple (Bowlby argues there is 1 attachment then multiple, Van Ijzendoorn says multiple from offset -> not a universally applicable understanding -> lack population validity)