SCHAFFER'S STAGES OF ATTACHMENT Flashcards
what are the stages of attachment according to Schaffer and Emerson?
asocial stage to indiscriminate attachment to specific attachment to multiple attachments
when does the asocial stage occur?
within the first few weeks
what happens at the asocial stage?
babies have the same reaction to inanimate objects to humans, prefer familiar adults
when does the indiscriminate stage occur?
2-7 months
what happens at the indiscriminate stage?
preference for humans, know and recognise familiar adults but no stranger of separation anxiety
when does specific attachment occur?
occurs after 7 months
what happens in the specific attachment stage?
the baby shows stranger and separation anxiety to a primary attachment figure
who is the primary attachment figure identified in the specific attachment stage?
the mother 65% of the time as it is the person who offers the most interaction and responds to the baby’s signals
when do babies start to form multiple attachment?
by 1 year
what is evidence from Schaffer and Emerson’s study that support multiple attachments?
29% multiple attachments 1 month after primary attachment
1 year majority had formed multiple attachments
what is a problem with studying the asocial stage?
babies may be social, but not able to express it due to them being immobile so difficult to make observations of behaviour
who argues that the timing of multiple attachments is confliciting?
Van Ijzendoorn
what does Ijzendoorn say about multiple attachments?
criticises Bowlby who says develop multiple after primary, as multiple attachment appear from the start in collectivist cultures where it is the norm
what was the procedure for Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
60 WC babies and mother visited every month for a year and again at 18 months
how was information collected about stranger and separation anxiety in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
asked mother about babies behaviour in every day separations and children’s anxiety when left with unfamiliar adults
