Schaffer And Emersons Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

Stage 1 - asocial stage

Answer 1

First few weeks
Baby’s behaviour towards non human objects and humans is quite similar.
Babies show some preference for familiar adults in that those individuals find it easier to calm them

Question 2

Stage 2 indiscriminate stages

Answer 2

2-7 months
Babies display more observable social behaviour.
They show a preference for people rather than instinct objects, and recognise and prefer familiar adults

Question 3

Stage 3 specific attachment

Answer 3

From around 7 months babies start to display anxiety towards strangers and to become anxious when separated from one particular adult (biological mother in 69% of cases)
The specific attachment is primary attachment figure

Question 4

Stage 4 multiple attachments

Answer 4

Shortly after babies start to show attachment behaviour towards one adult they usually extend this attachment behaviour to multiple attachments with other adults to whom they regular spend time
-secondary attachments

Question 5

Evaluation - problem studying asocial stage

Answer 5

The problem is here is that babies are young and have poor co-ordination skills and are basically immobile, therefore it is difficult to make any judgments about them based on observations of their behaviour

Question 6

Evaluation - conflicting evidence on multiple attachments

Answer 6

It is not entirely clear at what stage/age when multiple attachment occurs
- individual cultures are different to collectivist cultures

Question 7

Evaluations - measuring multiple attachments

Answer 7

Bowlbly 1969 pointed out that children have playmates as well as attachment figures and may get distressed when a playmate leaves but this does not signify attachment
Problems with Schaffer and Emerson’s stages do not account for playnmates