3) Role of the Father

Question 1

Intro into essay on role of the father

Answer 1

• Fathers are much less likely to become a babies 1st attachment figure compared to mothers

Question 2

Who investigated attachment figures of babies

Answer 2

Schaffer and Emerson
- 3% of babies primary attachment was their father
- by the age of 18months majority of babies had formed attachments with father

Question 3

Who did a longitudinal study of babies attachments into their teens

Answer 3

Grossman
- Quality of attachment to mother but not father was related to attachments in adolescence
- However, fathers play was more important and this had an effect on adolescent attachments, meaning fathers are more important for play and simulation compared to emotional development

Question 4

Evidence for fathers as primary care giver

Answer 4

Field
- Fathers which were the primary care giver adapted more ‘motherly’ characteristics to atone to that area of importance
- This shows that fathers do have the potential to to engage in emotional development