Stages of attachment (Attachment)

Question 1

4 Stages of attachment

Answer 1

• Asocial 0-6 weeks
• Indiscriminate attachment 6 weeks-7 months
• Specific attachment 7-9 months
• Multiple attachment 9 months+

Question 2

Attachment stage 1

Answer 2

Asocial 0-6 weeks

Babies display innate behaviours (crying/smiling) that ensure proximity to any potential caregiver

Anyone can comfort them as they do not prefer any caregiver

Question 3

Attachment stage 2

Answer 3

Indiscriminate phase 6 weeks - 7 months

Infants differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar individuals and smile at those they see frequently

Question 4

Attachment stage 3

Answer 4

Specific attachment phase 7-9 months

Babies form strong attachment to PCG (normally mother)

Separation and stranger anxeity develop

Question 5

Attachment stage 4

Answer 5

Multiple attachments 9 months+

Starts to form attachments with other caregivers (father and other family)

Stranger anxiety decreases

Question 6

Positive Evaluations of Stages of Attachment

Answer 6

Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Longitudinal observation of of 60 working class babies

Found separation anxiety occured by 25-32 weeks with stranger anxiety starting one month later and that 87% had multiple attachments

This study has a high level of mundane realism

Question 7

Negative Evaluation of Stages of attachment

Answer 7

Shaffers study not generalisable as they only included people of the same culture and class from over 60 years ago