L2 - Stages of Attachment

Question 1

who developed the stages of attachment

Answer 1

schaffer and emerson

Question 2

how did schaffer and emerson develop the stages of attachment

Answer 2

longitudinal study
followed 60 infants and their mothers for 2 years

Question 3

what are the 4 stages of attachment and their periods

Answer 3

pre attachment 0-3 months
indiscriminate attachment 4-7months
discriminate attachment 7-9months
multiples attachments 10months+

Question 4

what is pre attachment

Answer 4

infants become attracted to other humans rather than objects and events
demonstrated by smiling at faces

Question 5

what is indiscriminate attachment

Answer 5

infants discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar faces
smile more at people they know
but still allow strangers to handle them

Question 6

what is discriminate attachment

Answer 6

develop a specific attachment to their primary attachment figure
show separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
primary attachment figure was who had the best quality with the infant not who spent most time with them

Question 7

what is multiple attachments

Answer 7

infants develop strong emotional ties with other major caregivers and non-caregivers- secondary attachments
fear of strangers weakens but attachment to primary attachment figure is strongest

Question 8

2 strengths of stages of attachment study

Answer 8

• good external validity: most observations reported by parents, so babies behaviour wasn’t affected by observers so behaviour was natural
• longitudinal design: good internal validity as same children were followed, no confounding variables on children’s behaviour

Question 9

2 weaknesses of the stages of attachment

Answer 9

• biased: only included infants from a working-class population, findings may not apply to other social groups
• lacks temporal validity: conducted in 1960s, parental care has changed, more women go to work and more men stay at home