3. ATTACHMENT (Stages of attachment identified by Schaffer and multiple attachments) Flashcards
What are the stages of attachment according to Schaffer and Emerson?
- Asocial (Pre-attachment) – First few weeks
- Indiscriminate attachment – 2-7 months
- Specific attachment – 7 months onwards
- Multiple attachment – 8-12 months
What happens during the Asocial (Pre-attachment) stage of attachment?
In the Asocial stage (first few weeks), babies are more responsive to humans, especially those who calm them, but their behaviour toward humans and objects is similar. They are not yet forming specific attachments.
What happens during the Indiscriminate attachment stage of attachment?
Between 2-7 months, babies show a preference for humans over objects and familiar people over strangers. However, they still accept attention and affection from all adults equally.
What happens during the Specific attachment stage of attachment?
At around 7 months, babies form a primary attachment, typically with the mother, and show separation anxiety and stranger anxiety. This attachment is mainly based on reciprocity.
What happens during the Multiple attachment stage of attachment?
By 8-12 months, babies begin to form multiple attachments to other significant people beyond the primary caregiver (secondary attachments).
What was the aim of Schaffer and Emerson’s study (1964)?
Schaffer and Emerson aimed to investigate the age at which attachments form, the intensity of attachment relationships, and the people to whom these attachments were made.
What were the key findings of Schaffer and Emerson (1964) regarding attachment?
- 65% of babies formed their first attachment with their mother.
- 3% formed their first attachment with their father.
- 27% had joint first attachments.
- By 18 months, 87% of babies had at least two attachments, with 31% having five or more.
- Multiple attachments were common.
What conclusion can be drawn from Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Attachment develops in stages, and multiple attachments are typical. The mother is not always the main attachment figure. Sensitivity and responsiveness are more important in forming attachments than the amount of time spent with the infant.
What is a strength of Schaffer and Emerson’s research regarding the method?
The study was longitudinal, following the same children over 18 months, which helped control for individual differences and increased internal validity.
Why is Schaffer and Emerson’s research considered to have high ecological validity?
The research was conducted in natural settings where mothers reported their babies’ behaviour during everyday activities, making the findings more generalizable to real-life situations.
What is a limitation of Schaffer and Emerson’s research regarding the sample?
The sample was drawn from working-class families in Glasgow, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other populations, such as middle-class or culturally diverse families.
What is a limitation of the data collection method used in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
The data was based on self-report by mothers, which could be biased. Some mothers might have been less sensitive to their infant’s behaviour or may have provided socially desirable answers, affecting the validity of the findings.
What is the criticism of Schaffer and Emerson’s study regarding cultural bias?
Schaffer and Emerson’s theory may be culturally biased. Research by Van Ijzendoorn (1993) found that in collectivist cultures, babies form multiple attachments from the outset, which contradicts Schaffer’s suggestion that one primary attachment must form before multiple attachments.
What did Schaffer and Emerson find about fathers in their study?
Schaffer and Emerson found that 3% of babies formed their first attachment with their fathers, but 27% of babies formed joint first attachments with both parents. Fathers often formed secondary attachments, including within a month of birth.
What is the significance of reciprocity in the formation of attachment according to Schaffer and Emerson’s findings?
Schaffer and Emerson’s findings suggest that attachments are not simply formed based on time spent together. Instead, they are more likely to form with individuals who display sensitivity and responsiveness to the infant’s needs.
