Attachment - Role of the Father

Question 1

What did Schaffer find out about infant’s primary attachment figures?

Answer 1

65% of infants primary attachment figure was mum

30% Mum and Dad

3% Dad only

Cultural, temporal and biological reasons for father having less important role

Question 2

What are fathers seen as more important for?

Answer 2

They have a more playful role than the comforting style of mothers. Father’s interactions emphasised stimulation and encouraged risk taking behaviours.

Question 3

What did Venissimo et al observe? When did they observe this?

Answer 3

Preschool children’s relationships with their mothers and fathers were assessed

This data was then compared with a follow up assessment of their later social interactions at Nursery.

Question 4

What did Venissimo et al (2011) find?

Answer 4

Found that a strong attachment to the father predicts a high ability to make friends in school. This suggests an important role for father in the socialisation process

Question 5

What are the strengths of Venissimo et al’s observations?

Answer 5

Findings that males can effectively take on a more maternal role could provide confidence to fathers in the role of the primary carer and single gendered families that are now more common in society.

Research has a positive impact on society

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of Venissimo et al’s observations?

Answer 6

SOCIAL SENSITIVITY
Some women may find their life choices criticised by research in this area i.e mothers who decide to return to the workplace shortly after giving birth

Or men who decide to take on the role of primary caregiver may feel they are not biologically capable of providing the same function as women