Caregiver-infant interactions, stages of attachment, role of the father past paper improvements

Question 1

Outline findings from research into the role of the father in attachment (4)

Answer 1

Schaffer and Emerson (1964) - 75% of infants had formed an attachment with the father at 18 months
Research shows the father may fulfil a qualitatively different role from that of the mother - play vs emotional support, but this is just as crucial to the child’s wellbeing
Research shows that the father in a single parent family is more likely to adopt the traditional maternal role
Quality of attachment with father may be less influential in adolescence - Grossman (2003)
Research shows the role of the father may differ depending on the gender of the child

Question 2

What is meant by “reciprocity” in the context of caregiver-infant interaction? (2)

Answer 2

Caregiver and infant respond to each other’s signals and elicits a response from the other

Question 3

Briefly evaluate research into caregiver-infant interaction (4)

Answer 3

Babies can’t communicate - Inferences must be drawn
Research may be socially sensitive, e.g. implications for working mothers
Economic implications of research

Question 4

What is meant by the term “attachment”? (2)

Answer 4

An emotional relationship between two people in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure when in the presence of the attachment figure