Chapter 3 Attachment - Schaffer´s stages of attachment

Question 1

Schaffer´s theory - Asocial stage?

Answer 1

First few weeks, same response to humans & objects.

Question 2

Schaffer´s theory - Indiscriminate attachment?

Answer 2

2-7 months, preference for (familiar) people, no stranger/separation anxiety.

Question 3

Schaffer´s theory - Specific attachments?

Answer 3

Stranger & seperation anxiety in regard to one particular adult - the primary attachment figure (65% were mother).

Question 4

Schaffer´s theory - Multiple attachments?

Answer 4

Soon after attachment behaviour directed towards more than one adult (secondary attachments).

Question 5

Schaffer´s theory - Schaffer & Emerson´s research?

Answer 5

Procedure - Mothers of 60 working-class Glasgow babies reported monthly on seperation & stranger anxiety.
Findings - Babies´attachment behaviour progressed as detailed in Schaffer & Emerson´s stage theory.

Question 6

Evaluation of Schaffers´stages of attachment - Good external validity? STRENGTH

Answer 6

• Mothers did observing so babies not stressed by being observed.
• CP is that the mothers might not have accurately noted behaviour.

Question 7

Evaluation of Schaffers´stages of attachment - Poor evidence for the asocial stage? WEAKNESS

Answer 7

Babies have poor co-ordination, so just may seem asocial.

Question 8

Evaluation of Schaffers´stages of attachment - Real-world application? STRENGTH

Answer 8

No harm in starting at day care during asocial/indiscriminate stages (any skilled adult adequate), but problematic starting day care in specific attachment stage.

Question 9

Evaluation of Schaffers´stages of attachment - Generalisability?

Answer 9

Data gathered only in 1960s working-class Glasgow, e.g. multiple attachment may be different in collective cultures (Van IJzendoorn).