Schaffer's Stages of Attachment Flashcards
(10 cards)
What characterizes Stage 1 of Schaffer’s attachment stages?
The Asocial Stage (first few weeks) – babies respond similarly to humans and non-humans, but show a preference for familiar people.
What behavior is seen in Stage 2: Indiscriminate Attachment?
Preference for humans over inanimate objects; accept comfort from any adult without specific attachment.
(2–7 months)
What marks the beginning of Stage 3: Specific Attachment?
Baby shows separation anxiety from one adult (usually mother) and stranger anxiety; forms a primary attachment.
(around 7 months)
What happens in Stage 4: Multiple Attachments (by one year)?
Babies form attachments to multiple adults, including secondary caregivers.
What did Schaffer and Emerson (1964) find about secondary attachments?
29% of infants formed secondary attachments within a month of forming a primary attachment.
What is a strength of Schaffer’s study in terms of external validity?
Conducted in infants’ homes with parent observers, making behavior more natural and findings more generalizable to real-world settings.
What is a counterpoint to the strength of external validity in Schaffer’s study?
Parents may have biased observations or missed signs of anxiety, reducing accuracy and objectivity.
Why is there poor evidence for the asocial stage?
Babies are immobile, making it difficult to observe attachment behavior; movements may seem asocial due to lack of coordination.
How does the research apply to real-world settings like day care?
It informs caregivers that separation anxiety begins around 7 months, helping adapt practices to support infants.
What is a limitation regarding generalizability in Schaffer’s study?
Conducted on 60 working-class babies from Glasgow, so findings may not apply to other cultures or social groups.
