Attachment

Question 1

What is an attachment?

Answer 1

A close emotional bond between 2 individuals where each sees the other essential for their emotional wellbeing

Question 2

How will securely attached infants behave?

Answer 2

They will show a desire to be close to their primary caregiver, show distress when separated and pleasure when reunited

Question 3

What is interactional synchrony?

Answer 3

Caregiver and baby reflect the actions and emotions of the other and do this in a coordinated way

Question 4

What is reciprocity?

Answer 4

Caregiver and baby respond to each others signals- turn-taking

Question 5

What are the 4 stages of attachment?

Answer 5

Asocial stage, indiscriminate stage, specific attachment, multiple attachments

Question 6

What is the asocial stage?

Answer 6

• First few weeks of life
• Similar observable behaviour towards humans and inanimate objects
• Accept comfort from anyone

Question 7

What is the indiscriminate stage?

Answer 7

• 2-7 months
• Display clear preference for familiar people
• No separation or stranger anxiety

Question 8

What is the specific attachment stage?

Answer 8

• Attachment towards one particular person (primary attachment figure)
• Stranger and separation anxiety
• Primary attachment figure is mother 65% of the time

Question 9

What is the multiple attachment stage?

Answer 9

• Start to form multiple attachments

- 29% form secondary attachments within a month of primary attachment

Question 10

What was Schaffer and Emerson’s experiment?

Answer 10

• 60 Glasgow babies
• Visited once a month for a year and then again at 18 months
• Interviews also conducted with families

Question 11

What were the results of Schaffer and Emerson’s experiment?

Answer 11

• Stages of attachment found to occur
• About 50 had multiple attachments at 8 months
• Mother was always main carer, but not always primary attachment figure in 20 babies

Question 12

What was the conclusion from Schaffer and Emerson’s study?

Answer 12

• Infants form attachments in stages and eventually attach to many people
• Quality of care is important in forming attachments

Question 13

What is the evaluation from Schaffer and Emerson’s study?

Answer 13

• Limited sample
• Results may be biased and unreliable
• Cross-cultural differences

Question 14

What did Schaffer and Emerson find about the role of the father?

Answer 14

A third of infant had father as primary attachment figure

Question 15

What has research showed about the role of the father?

Answer 15

• Those with secure attachment to mother more likely to have secure attachment to father
• More likely to have strong attachment if more involved in child’s care
• Father’s role more focused on play and stimulation