multiple attachments + role of father Flashcards
what did Schaffer and Emerson find for primary attachment?
found that majority of babies are attached to their mother within the first 7 months
what % of babies were seen to have a primary attachment with the father?
3%
what % of babies formed a secondary attachment with the father?
75% by 18 months
what % of babies had a joint primary attachment with mother and father
30%
what are the 3 arguments for role of the father?
- father’s role is different due to biological and socio-cultural differences
- play-role rather than caregiver
- fathers can demonstrate sensitive-responsiveness
what are the biological and socio-cultural differences in the role of the father?
‘men are not equipped to form primary attachments biologically, psychologically and socially’
biological differences: oestrogen underlies caring behaviour, this makes women more biologically suited to forming attachments
socio-cultural differences: child rearing could be seen as stereotypically feminine, leading to males being put off, even if they want to be involved
what is ‘play mate’ in the role of the father?
‘fathers are not necessarily caregivers, but provide an important playmate role’
- father provides more physical and exciting play than the mother.
- due to this, infants tend to prefer contact with their fathers when they are feeling happy and positive and want to play, but prefer contact with their mothers when they are upset and want comforting.
what is sensitive-responsiveness in the role of the father?
where fathers respond to the emotional needs of their children, leading to a secure attachment
- secure bonds are possible if fathers are in an intimate marriage
- suggesting fathers can form secure relationships, depending on the mother-father relationship
evaluation: biological/ socio-cultural differences + ELAB: biologically determined
ID: research evidence suggests that fathers cannot provide a nurturing and sensitive attachment
Q: this is due to biological and socio-cultural differences between men and women
EX: for example, Hrdy. found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress, in comparison to mothers. these findings support the biological explanation for the role of the father, as the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are not equipped to form close attachments with their children. furthermore, socio-cultural factors suggest that child-rearing could be seen as stereotypically feminine, which could reduce male desire for attachment
AN: therefore, this provides further evidence that fathers are not able to provide a sensitive and nurturing type of attachment, due to biological and socio-cultural factors
ELAB: however, this research suggests that the role of the father is biologically determined, as their attachment role is restricted due to biological makeup. however, as some children are able to form close attachments with their fathers, this may suggest a softer view of determinism may be more appropriate
evaluation: research support for playmate
ID: there is research that provides support for the role of the father as a ‘playmate’
Q: this means that, there is evidence to suggest that fathers are not necessarily caregivers, but provide an important playmate role
EX: for example, research by Geiger found that fathers’ play interactions were more exciting in comparison to mothers’, and they are better at providing challenging situations. however, mothers’ play interactions were more affectionate and nurturing
AN: this suggests that the role of the father is in fact as a playmate, rather than a sensitive caregiver who responds to the emotional needs of the infant. these findings also confirm that the mother takes on more of a nurturing role
evaluation: research support for sensitive-responsiveness (intimate marriage)
ID: however, research suggests that fathers are able to form secure attachments with their children if they are in an intimate marriage
Q: this means that there is evidence to suggest that fathers can demonstrate sensitive-responsiveness, dependant on the mother-father relationship
EX: for example, Belsky. found that males who reported higher levels of marital intimacy also displayed a secure father-infant attachment. whereas, males with lower levels of marital intimacy displayed an insecure father-infant attachment
AN: this suggests that males can form secure attachments with their children, however, the strength of the attachments depends on the father and mother relationship
