At - The development of attachment

Question 1

Define multiple attachment

Answer 1

Having more than 1 attachment figure.

Question 2

Define primary attachment figure

Answer 2

The person who has formed the closest bond with a child, demonstrated by the intensity of the relationship. This is usually a child’s biological mother, but other people can fulfil the role - an adoptive mother, a father, grandmother and so on.

Question 3

Define separation anxiety

Answer 3

The distress shown by an infant when separated from his/her caregiver. This is not necessarily the child’s biological mother.

Question 4

Define stranger anxiety

Answer 4

The distress shown by an infant when approached or picked up by someone who is unfamiliar.

Question 5

Who came up with the 4 stages of attachment?

Answer 5

Schaffer and Emerson, 1964

Question 6

What are Schaffer and Emerson’s 4 stages of attachment?

Answer 6

Indiscriminate attachments
The beginnings of attachment
Discriminate attachment
Multiple attachments

Question 7

Describe the behaviours in the indiscriminate stage of attachment

Answer 7

No preference for any objects/people.

Preference for social stimuli.

Question 8

Describe the behaviours in the beginnings of attachment stage of attachment

Answer 8

Can distinguish familiar people from strangers.

No stranger anxiety - comforted by anyone.

Question 9

Describe the behaviours in the discriminate stage of attachment

Answer 9

Separation anxiety begins.

Preference for one person (primary attachment figure).

Question 10

Describe the behaviours in the multiple attachments stage of attachment

Answer 10

Discriminate attachments are formed with others.

Secondary attachment figure is often father (still prefer primary attachment figure).

Question 11

What were the issues with Schaffer and Emerson’s study of attachment?

Answer 11

• Social desirability bias as self-report technique used.
• Ecological validity.
• Fathers not used - only focussed on mothers.
• Individual differences - rate of development (e.g. those with disabilities not considered).

Question 12

What was the aim of Schaffer and Emerson’s 1964 study of attachment?

Answer 12

To investigate attachment formation; particularly the ages, emotional intensity and target.

Question 13

What was the method of Schaffer and Emerson’s 1964 study of attachment?

Answer 13

• 60 babies (31m, 29f) from Glasgow. Mostly from working class families.
• Separation anxiety measured by asking parents what protest behaviours babies did (self-report; semi-structured interview).
• Stranger anxiety measured - response to unfamiliar adults (controlled observation).

Question 14

What were the findings of Schaffer and Emerson’s 1964 study of attachment?

Answer 14

• Between 25 and 32 weeks of age, 50% of babies showed sep anxiety towards a specific adult (their PC). This is known as specific attachment.
• This attachment tended to be the most responsive, interactive and sensitive caregiver in interactions (the one showing more reciprocity).
• Not necessarily the one the infant spent most time with.
• By 40 weeks, 80% of babies had specific attachments, 30% had multiple attachments.