Schaffer and Emerson Flashcards
What did Schaffer and Emerson research?
Schaffer and Emerson aimed to investigate the formation of early attachments; in particular the age at which they develop, their emotional intensity and to whom they were directed
What was the method of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
The study involved 60 babies - 31 male, 29 female. All were from Glasgow and the majority were from skilled working-class families. The babies and their mothers were visited at home every month for the first year and again at 18 months. The researchers asked the mothers questions about the kinds of protest their babies showed in seven everyday separations, e.g. adult leaving the room (a measure of separation anxiety). This was designed to measure the infant’s attachment. The researchers also assessed stranger anxiety- the infant’s anxiety response to unfamiliar adults.
What were the findings from Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
- Between 25band 32 weeks of age about 50% of the babies showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult, usually the mother - this is called specific attachment
- By the age of 40 weeks 80% of the babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments
Who was specific attachment usually towards?
Attachment tended to be to the caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to infant signals and facial expressions (i.e. reciprocity). This was not necessarily the person with whom the infant spent most time.
What are 3 evaluation points for Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
- Good external validity
- Longitudinal design
- Limited sample characteristics
What did Schaffer’s observational research lead to?
The formulation of 4 distinct stages of developmental progress that characterise infants’ attachments
What are the 4 stages of developmental progress that characterise infants’ attachment?
- Asocial stage
- Indiscriminate attachments
- Specific attachment
- Multiple attachments
When does the asocial stage occur?
0-6 weeks
When does indiscriminate attachments occur?
6 weeks - 6 months
When does specific attachment occur?
7 months +
When does multiple attachments occur?
10/11 months +
What is the asocial stage?
Similar responses to objects and people. Preference for faces/eyes
What is indiscriminate attachments?
Preference for human company. Ability to distinguish between people but comforted indiscriminately
What is specific attachment?
Infants show a preference for one caregiver, displaying separation and stranger anxiety. The baby looks to particular people for security, comfort and protection
What is multiple attachments?
Attachment behaviours are displayed towards several different people e.g. siblings, grandparents etc.
What are 3 evaluation points for the stages of attachment?
- Problem studying the asocial stage
- Conflicting evidence on multiple attachments
- Measuring multiple attachment
