SCHAFFER + EMERSON [forming attachments] Flashcards
What does this study investigate?
The formation of attachment at particular ages
What was the sample for this study?
60 working-class Glaswegian mothers and their infants
What design did this study use?
Longitudinal
How was this study carried out?
- mothers & babies were visited monthly for the first year
- [visited again at 18 months]
- their relationships were observed and recorded, mothers were interviewed and kept a diary of attachment
What 3 measures did this study record?
STRANGER ANXIETY
SEPARATION ANXIETY
SOCIAL REFERENCING
How were these measures studied?
In 7 everyday separations
What were the findings of this study?
Infant formed first specific attachment to the adult who was the most responsive to their signals - not necessarily who the infant spent the most time with
How many infants showed separation anxiety at 25-32 weeks?
50%
How many infants had specific attachments by 40 weeks?
80%
What did Schaffer and Emerson propose from their findings?
Four stages of attachment
What is the benefit of using a longitudinal design for this study?
Same children were observed at different ages = no confounding variables from individual differences
Why does this study have good external validity?
It was carried out in own homes and recorded by caregiver, therefore it was relatively unaffected by observers
What is a criticism of this study?
All families were from a specific district, therefore results cannot be generalised
