LS3 - Role Of The Father

Question 1

Schaffer & Emerson

Answer 1

Found fathers were much less likely to be the primary attachments than mothers, which could be due to less time, however this was in 1960.

Question 2

Role Of The Father

Answer 2

Fathers seem to play a minor role in parenting, however society has changed, as single parents are increasingly male and more females are working.

Question 3

Role Of The Father - Bowlby

Answer 3

Suggested the primary attachment is usually the mother but it can be the father, however researchers see them more as a playmate due to their playful, unpredictable nature.

Question 4

Factors Affecting Father-Infant Relationships

Answer 4

Degree Of Sensitivty
Type Of Attachment With Own Parents
Marital Intimacy
Supporting Co-Parenting

Question 5

Degree Of Sensitivtiy

Answer 5

The more sensitive the father, the increased chance of a secure attachment.

Question 6

Type Of Attachment With Own Parents

Answer 6

Single parent fathers tend to form similar attachments with their children, than they had with their own parents.

Question 7

Marital intimacy

Answer 7

Intimacy witht their partner affects type of attachment.

Question 8

Supporting Co-Parenting

Answer 8

The amount of support a father gives to his partner in childcare.

Question 9

Father Play Interaction Study

Answer 9

Geiger - Showed father playt interactions were more pleasurable and exciting, whilst mothers are more nurturing. however, research found infant prefer thier father when in a positive mood as opposed to a negative one.

Question 10

Importance Of Father Study

Answer 10

Grossman - Longitudinal study looking at parent’s behaviour and quality of child attachment through to teens. During infancy, fathers were less important however the quality of a fathers’ play impacted adolescece showing they’re less secondary attachments.

Question 11

Strengths

Answer 11

Positive Effects Of Father
Fathers Important For Mothers
Children Without Fathers

Question 12

Weaknesses

Answer 12

Inconsistent Findings
What About children Born Into Single Parent Families
Why Don’t Fathers Become Primary Attachments

Question 13

Positive Effects Of Father (+)

Answer 13

Children with secure father attachments have good peer relationships, fewer problem behaviours and are more able to control their emotions.

Question 14

Fathers Important For Mothers (+)

Answer 14

Fathers that help with childcare, give mothers alone time, reducing stress and increasing self-esteem, enabling mothers to positively interact with children.

Question 15

Children Without Fathers (+)

Answer 15

Do less well at school and show high levels of risk-taking & aggression, suggesting fathers help prevent negative developments.

Question 16

Inconsistent Findings (-)

Answer 16

Different researchers see fathers as secondary attachment figures and others as primary attachment figures, so what is the role of fathers?

Question 17

What About Children Born Into Single Parent Families (-)

Answer 17

Grossman found fathers were key in development however other studies find that children without fathers or gay parents show no significant differences in development.

Question 18

Why Don’t Fathers Become Primary Attachments (-)

Answer 18

Traditional gender roles of nurturing woman over men, therefore males which to their role, however female hormones could make them more nurturing, meaning they’re biologically pre-disposed to be primary attachment figures.