Early Attachment - Role Of The Father

Question 1

What is multiple attachments?

Answer 1

Having more than one attachment figure

Question 2

What is a primary attachment figure?

Answer 2

The person who has formed the closest bond with the child, demonstrated by the intensity of the relationship

Question 3

What is separation anxiety?

Answer 3

The distress shown by an infant when separated from his/her caregiver

Question 4

What is stranger anxiety?

Answer 4

The distress shown by an infant when approached or picked up by someone who is unfamiliar

Question 5

Why is a father less likely to form the primary attachment?

Answer 5

• They could spend less time with the infants
• They lack the emotional sensitivity women offer, this could be due to biological or social factors
• Cultural expectations/sex stereotypes
• Men are less sensitive to infant cues than mothers (1994)

Question 6

What did Lamb (1997) report?

Answer 6

That studies have shown little relationship between father accessibility (amount of time) and infant-father attachment

Question 7

Why do fathers make good secondary attachment figures?

Answer 7

• They are more playful, physically active and generally better at providing challenging situations for their children
• They are an ‘exciting playmate’