Attachment- Stages

Question 1

Attachment

Answer 1

The formation of a strong, reciprocal, emotional bond between an infant and a primary caregiver, serving the function of protecting the infant

Question 2

Maccoby (1980)

Answer 2

Behaviours that indicate attachment:
Proximity seeking
Separation anxiety
Pleasure when reunited
Orientation towards the specific individual

Question 3

Stages of attachment

Answer 3

Asocial
Indiscriminate
Specific
Multiple attachments

Question 4

Asocial stage

Answer 4

0-6 weeks
Similar behaviour to inanimate objects and people
Babies happier in the presence of other humans

Question 5

Indiscriminate stage

Answer 5

2-7 months
Babies display social behaviour
Prefer people rather than objects
Recognise familiar adults
No stranger or separation anxiety

Question 6

Specific attachment

Answer 6

Around 7 months
Experience stranger and separation anxiety
Form attachment with a primary attachment figure

Question 7

Multiple attachment stage

Answer 7

7/8 months+
Form secondary attachments with other adults

Question 8

Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 8

P- Longitudinal study on 60 Glaswegian babies in their natural environment from 0-18 months. Interviewed, observed, and parents kept diaries. Measured attachment through separation and stranger anxiety
F- First attachment formed between 6-8 months.
65% had mother as primary attachment figure.
Only 3% had father as primary attachment figure
By 18 months, 75% had formed secondary attachments to their fathers
Found sensitive responsiveness

Question 9

Sensitive responsiveness

Answer 9

Attachments are formed to caregivers who respond appropriately to infant’s signals, not those who feed or care for them

Question 10

Strengths of Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 10

High validity- no demand characteristics
Real world application in school/nursery start ages

Question 11

Weaknesses of Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 11

Low population validity (60 Glaswegian babies)
Lacks temporal validity (1964 gender roles)