Schaffer’s stages of attachment Flashcards
What did Schaffer and Emerson study?
Attachment behaviors of babies, particularly the age at which they develop their emotional intensity towards a human
What is the first stage of attachment S &E proposed?
Asocial stage
Describe the Asocial stage
- observable behaviour towards human and inanimate objects is fairly similar
- Tend to show preference for familiar people ( faces and eyes) at end of stage
- easily comforted by other humans
what is stage 2 of attachment proposed by S & E?
Indiscriminate attachment
Describe indiscriminate attachment
-display more sociable behavior
- clear preference for humans and familiar people
- Do not show signs of separation or stranger anxiety
What is stage 3 of attachment proposed by S & E?
Specific attachment
Describe specific attachment stage
-develop signs of attachment to particular person
- signs of stranger anxiety and separation anxiety
- Specific attachment with PAF ( mother in 65% of cases)
What is stage 4 of attachment proposed by S & E ?
Multiple attachment
Describe Multiple attachment stage
- Stranger and separation anxiety extended to other regular caregivers ( secondary attachments)
- age of 1 year babies had developed multiple attachments
S & E research- how many babies were studied and where were they from?
Study involved 60 babies from Glasgow, majority from w/c families
When did the researchers visit homes ?
Visited babies mothers in their homes every month for year, then at 18 months
What did the researchers ask the mothers?
Questions about protest in 7 separation situations eg separation and stranger anxiety
What did the researchers find?
At about 7 months 50% of babies showed separation anxiety
Findings make up stages of theory
What does S & E research tell us about day care ?
Practical application in day care
-tell us that starting day care with an unfamiliar face may be particularly problematic in the specific stage so parents can plan accordingly
Stages of attachment has…
Good external validity