Schaffer's stages of attachment

Question 1

Schaffer & Emerson Aim:

Longitudinal Study

Answer 1

To investigate the formation of early attachment, the emotional intensity and whom they are directed to

Question 2

Schaffer & Emerson Setup:

Answer 2

Observed 60 Glaswegian babies for 18 months, mostly from working class families

Question 3

Schaffer & Emerson Method:

Answer 3

Asked parents to observe their children in different circumstances and keep a diary of results. e.g. leaving baby alone in a room/with stranger

Question 4

S&E Results:

Answer 4

.Between 25-32 weeks - 50% of babies showed separation anxiety, usually towards the mother
.Attachment tended to be strongest with primary caregiver
.At 40 weeks - nearly 30% had formed multiple attachments, 80% had formed specific attachments

Question 5

S&E Study Positive Eval (natural)

Answer 5

Good external validity, conducted in ppt’s homes and most observations were done by parents during normal activities
.Babies acted naturally

Question 6

S&E Study Positive Eval (design)

Answer 6

Longitudinal design:
.Same children were observed over a period of time
.Better Internal Validity as no confounding variables between ppts

Question 7

S&E Study Limitation

Answer 7

.Research is limited due to ppts being from the same town, same social class and over 50 years ago. 
.Practices vary across cultures and time

Question 8

Attachment stages:

Describe Stage 1 - Asocial/pre-attachment phase

Answer 8

0-6 weeks
.Infant is forming bonds with recognised carers
.Babies are happier in the presence of other familiar human

Question 9

Stage 2: Indiscriminate / diffuse phase

Answer 9

6 weeks - 6 months
.Preference for people over objects
.Don’t usually show show separation/stranger anxiety

Question 10

Stage 3: Discriminate / single phase (specific attachment)

Answer 10

7 months onwards
.Majority of babies start to show stranger/separation anxiety
.Adult is primary attachment figure

Question 11

Stage 4: Multiple attachments

Answer 11

10/11 months onwards

.Secondary attachment to people babies spend a lot of time with

Question 12

S&E Stages Negative Eval (issues with asocial stage)

Answer 12

Very difficult to gather proper data from infants at this age. Also, evidence has shown that infants ARE social at this age - e.g. Moore

Question 13

S&E Stages Negative Eval (conflicting evidence for multiple attachments)

Answer 13

Bowlby agrees with assumption that an attachment to primary caregiver must come first. But, this only reflects the cultures where the child is reared by one person. Multiple attach.. are formed earlier in other places