Role Of The Father Flashcards
What does this research focus on
Focuses on a variety of different questions, which include whether the infant attaches to their father and when, does the father play a distinctive role and can the father be the primary attachment figure.
Does the child attaches to their to the fathers? research
Research has shown that children do attach to their fathers, but are a lot less likely to be their primary attachment figure.
This was demonstrated in the Schaffer and Emerson study were in only 3% of cases the father was the primary attachment figure and 27% had a joint attachment figure.
However, by the age of 18n months, 75% of infants studies had developed an attachment to their fathers.
Do fathers have a distinctive role ? Research
Grossman et al conducted a longitudinal study where he looked at the behaviours of the mothers and fathers towards the infant and its relationship to their quality of later attachments.
Results showed that the quality of the father’s play, was related to the quality of adolescent attachment, suggesting that the fathers play a unique role surrounding play and stimulation,rather then nurture (from the mother).
Can the father be the primary attachment figure for the child? Research
Yes, however it’s suggested to be more likely yo be the mother, due to them producing the hormones oestrogen, which is related to affection.
However, there is evidence that shows the father can take on the role of the primary caregiver.
A psychologist conducted a study where he filmed 4 month old babies in face to face interaction with primary caregiver mother and father, as well as secondary caregiver fathers. Just like mothers, the primary caregiver fathers, spent more time smiling and holding infants, in comparison to the secondary caregiver fathers, therefore they can provide responsiveness which is required for close emotional attachment.
Strength evaluation
P- it can be used to reassure parenting advice
E- same sex father families, may worry that they can’t provide the right needs for their child to make attachments when they are older, but this research shows that they hold will be fine as long as they have an emotional sensitive caregiver.
E- parental anxiety about the role of the father can be reduced
Limitaion evaluation
P- basis in research
E- stereotypes about fathers (such as them being more playful) may cause over bias and lead to inaccurate decisions.
E-lack validity and conclusions cant be trusted
P-contradicting findings
E- a psychologist conducted an analysis where he observed children’s development (who didn’t have a father) and compared it to a control group (a group of children with a mother and a father). Results showed that they developed no differently
E-questions whether the fathers have a distinct role or not
P- research developed in finding out ‘what is the role of the father?’ Is much more complex then it seems
E- this can be interpreted in different ways by different psychologists, such as does the father play a role, does the father play a specific role, what id the father has no role.
E-difficult to compare findings
