Attachment: topic 3 ‘multiple attachments and role of the father’

Question 1

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

Answer 1

• they found that father were less likely to be primary attachment figures than mothers because they generally spend less time with their infants (eg due to work demands or social stereotypes)
• it is argued that men are generally less sensitive to infants cues than mothers

Question 2

What does research suggest about father figures that contradicts Schaffer and Emerson’s findings?

Answer 2

• men do form secure attachments with their children, in the case of single parent families when men have shown to be successful primary attachment figures
• research suggests that the father in a single parent family is more likely to adopt the traditional maternal role

Question 3

Why do fathers generally take the role as a secondary attachment figure according to Geiger?

Answer 3

• research has consistently highlighted the fact that fathers are more playful, physically active and generally better at providing challenging situations for their children
• a father is an exciting playmate whereas mothers are more conventional and tend to read stories to their children

Question 4

What did Woolett argue about fathers being the secondary attachment figure?

Answer 4

• argued that the lack of sensitivity from fathers can be seen as positive because it fosters problem solving by placing greater demands on children to effectively communicate