Topic 2: Stages of Attachment Flashcards
Shaffer and Emerson (1964)
1
Q
Aim
A
•to assess whether there was a COMMON PATTERN to ATTACHMENT DEVELOPMENT
2
Q
Procedure
A
- LONGITUDINAL study
- 60 babies and their MOTHERS from a WORKING-CLASS area in GLASGOW
- studied in MONTHLY intervals in first year and again at 18 months
- studied in their OWN HOMES
- OBSERVED INTERACTION with MOTHER, MOTHER was INTERVIEWED about BABIES RESPONSES
3
Q
Results
A
- at 18 months, 87% had at least TWO attachments, 31% had FIVE or more
- 65% mother was main attachment at 18 months
- 3% had a primary attachment with father
4
Q
Conclusion
A
- common PATTERN suggests process is BIOLOGICALLY CONTROLLED
* forming attachments depends on PLAYING AND COMMUNICATING= SENSITIVE RESPONSIVENESS
5
Q
Evaluation
A
•PROBLEM STUDYING SOCIAL CHANGE
young babies have poor coordination and are pretty much immobile
•CONFLICTING EVIDENCE ON MULTIPLE ATTACHMENT
cannot pinpoint exact moment attachment is formed and some cultures do not have a primary attachment before multiple (collectivists)
•MEASURING MULTIPLE ATTACHMENTS
Bowlby (1969) being distressed when someone leaves doesn’t signify attachment (e.g. playmates)
6
Q
Stage 1: asocial
A
- 0-6 weeks
- happier in presence of humans than being alone
- behaviour between HUMAN and NON-HUMAN OBJECTS are quite SIMILAR
7
Q
Stage 2: indiscriminate attachment
A
- 6 weeks- 7 months
- recognise specific faces
- prefer familiar individuals but ACCEPT COMFORT from ANYONE
8
Q
Stage 3: specific attachment
A
- 7-9 months
- shows STRANGER and SEPARATION anxiety
- familiar adults become a SECURE BASE
- PRIMARY attachment
9
Q
Stage 4: multiple attachments
A
- 10months +
* form SECONDARY attachments
10
Q
Conflicting evidence
A
- BOWLBY argues babies form attachments to one PRIMARY caregiver first
- VAN IJZENDOORN- in some CULTURES it is the norm to form MULTIPLE attachments SOON AFTER BIRTH
