Chapter 3 Attachment - Role of the father

Question 1

Research of the role of the father - Attachment to fathers?

Answer 1

Most babies attach to their father, (75% by 18 months) but rarely as the first attachment (only 3% first sole attachment) (Schaffer & Emerson).

Question 2

Research of the role of the father - Distinctive role for fathers?

Answer 2

Fathers may have a distinctive role involving play & stimulation (Grossmann et al.)

Question 3

Research of the role of the father - Fathers as primary attachment figures?

Answer 3

Those fathers who were primary caregivers more responsive than secondary caregiver fathers (Field).

Question 4

Evalutation of the role of the father - Confusion over research questions? L

Answer 4

Competing research questions prevent a simple answer about the father’s role.

Question 5

Evalutation of the role of the father - Conflicting evidence? L

Answer 5

• Studies have reached different conclusions about a distinctive role for fathers.
• CP is that fathers may be predisposed to a role but single mothers & lesbian parents simply take on these roles.

Question 6

Evalutation of the role of the father - Real-world application? S

Answer 6

Families can be advised about the father’s role in attachment.

Question 7

Evalutation of the role of the father - Bias in this research? (X)

Answer 7

Preconceptions lead to observer bias, may affect some studies.