Attachment figures and role if the father Flashcards
what is a primary attachment figure
the person an infant is most intensely attached. Responds the most intensely at separation
What is a secondary attachment figure
Person who provides additional support for an infant. provides an emotional safety net
What did Schaffer and Emerson find about babies first attachment
Most babies attached to their mothers at 7 months
What did Schaffer and Emerson find about infants attachment with the father
75% of participants formed an attachment with their fathers at around 18 months. Shown by separation distress.
Why may the mother and father roles be different
Men may not be psychologically equipped to form an intense attachment as they lack the emotional sensitivity.
May be following traditional gender roles with women expected to be more caring and nurturing.
May be due to female hormones promoting nurturing. May be biologically predisposed.
What did Grossman (2002) find about the relationship with their fathers
Quality of fathers play was related to quality of adolescent attachment, suggesting fathers have a different role in attachment. Mothers were found to affect attachments in adolescence not fathers.
Describe the work of Field (1978 ) in showing fathers as attachment figures
-Filmed 4-month olds with primary care giver mothers, secondary care giver fathers and primary are giver fathers.
-Primary care giver fathers spent more time smiling, imitating and holding hands than secondary caregivers. Like mothers.
-The key to an attachment is level of responsiveness not the gender.
What did Lamb establish about infant relationships
Infants prefer contact with their mothers when distressed and fathers when seeking play.
What has research shown about fathers ability to detect distress
Fathers aren’t as good as mothers so don’t fulfil a more caregiving role
