stages of attachment

Question 1

What are the 6 AO1 points you must know for stages of attachment?

Answer 1

• Stage 1 – Asocial Stage (0–6 weeks)
  -Stage 2 – Indiscriminate Attachment (6 weeks – 6 months)
  -Stage 3 – Specific Attachment (from around 7 months)
  -Stage 4 – Multiple Attachments (from around 9 months)
  -Schaffer and Emerson (1964)
  -Key Behaviours Indicating Attachment

Question 2

What characterises the Asocial Stage of attachment (0–6 weeks)?

Answer 2

Babies respond similarly to people and objects. They begin forming bonds but do not show preference for specific people.

Question 3

What happens during the Indiscriminate Attachment stage (6 weeks – 6 months)?

Answer 3

Babies prefer human company, can distinguish between people, but accept comfort from anyone. No separation or stranger anxiety is shown.

Question 4

What are key features of the Specific Attachment stage (from around 7 months)?

Answer 4

Babies form a strong attachment to one person (usually the primary caregiver) and show separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.

Question 5

What is the Multiple Attachments stage (from around 9 months)?

Answer 5

Babies form secondary attachments with others like siblings or grandparents, after their primary attachment is formed.

Question 6

What was the method and importance of Schaffer and Emerson’s (1964) study?

Answer 6

A longitudinal study of 60 Glasgow infants using interviews and observations, which identified the four stages of attachment.

Question 7

What behaviours indicate attachment in infants?

Answer 7

Key indicators include separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, and the baby’s response upon reunion with the caregiver.