Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

Who identified stages of attachment?

Answer 1

Schaffer

Question 2

Multiple attachments definition

Answer 2

Refers to the attachments formed by infants to more than one caregiver beyond the primary attachment figure

Question 3

Stage 1- Asocial stage

Answer 3

0-6 weeks
Baby responds to people and objects
Shows similar response to humans and non-humans

Question 4

Stage 2- Indiscriminate stage

Answer 4

6 weeks to 6 months
Babies show clear preference to humans over objects
Accept comfort from any adult
Do not show stranger or separation anxiety
Not attached to one person

Question 5

Stage 3- Specific Attachment

Answer 5

7/8 months
Display stranger anxiety
Show separation anxiety from primary caregiver (usually mother)
Form specific attachment to person who responds most sensitively to their signals.

Question 6

Stage 4- Multiple Attachments

Answer 6

9 months +
Babies begin to form attachments to multiple caregivers e.g. father, siblings

Question 7

Who studied multiple attachments

Answer 7

Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Question 8

Schaffer and Emerson- Aim

Answer 8

Assess if patterns of attachment were common across all infants

Question 9

Schaffer and Emerson- Method

Answer 9

60 newborn babies from Glasgow aged 10-18 months.
Observations and interviews with mothers to understand their attachments.
Measured attachment in 2 ways:
-Separation protest (reaction of infant when left alone)
-Stranger anxiety (researcher
approached infant to see if they would be scared or upset)

Question 10

Schaffer and Emerson- Findings

Answer 10

-Most infants showed separation protest around age 6-8 months
-Most infants show stranger anxiety around 8-9 months.
-Strong attachments linked to sensitive responses, weak attachments linked to less interaction and weaker responses

Question 11

Schaffer and Emerson- Conclusions

Answer 11

-Stages of attachment common to all infants. Suggests an innate, biological process.
-Sensitive responsiveness seems to link to attachment rather than just time spent together

Question 12

Strength of Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 12

High ecological validity
Conducted in participant’s own homes, babies unaware observed, valid behaviour. Generalisable

Question 13

Limitation of Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 13

Data based on mothers’ reports. Potential social desirability bias or inaccurate information. Decreases validity of the findings.