Attachment (role of the father)

Question 1

Schaffer and Emerson found - (basic)

Answer 1

Fathers are less likely to be the primary attachment figure for an infant, due to a possible lack of time spent with the infant.

Question 2

Biological factors -

Answer 2

Most men may not be psychologically equipped for an intense relationship, the female hormone oestrogen underlies caring behaviour and are more oriented towards goals, women are seen as more sensitive towards infants improving the idea of building attachments from responding quickly to their psychological needs.

Question 3

Social factors -

Answer 3

Men are seen as less sensitive to infant cues than mothers, however Frodi found no differences in men or women responding any better to psychological needs of an infant. Men can be primary attachment figures and research shows of a two-parent family a father can be the primary attachment figure but biological and social reasons discourage this.

Question 4

Fathers as secondary attachments -

Answer 4

Fathers mostly do play an important role as a secondary attachment figure, due to fathers being more playful, engaging and physically active they provide better challenging situations for children (Geiger 1996).