Schaffer's stages of attachment

Question 1

What is stage 1 called

Answer 1

Asocial stage (first few weeks)

Question 2

The asocial stage

Answer 2

-Baby starts to form a bond and recognises it’s carers
-Behaviour to non-human objects is similar
-Some preference for familiar adults
-Happy in presence of others
-Reciprocity and interational synchrony play a role in establishing a relationship

Question 3

What is stage 2 called

Answer 3

Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months)

Question 4

Indiscriminate attachment

Answer 4

-Babies show sociable behaviour
-Preference for people over objects prefer familiar adults
-Can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people
-accept cuddles from any adult (indiscriminate)
-Do not show separation or stranger anxiety

Question 5

What is stage 3 called

Answer 5

Specific attachment (around 7 months)

Question 6

Specific attachment

Answer 6

-Display anxiety to strangers, anxious when separated from a particular adult.
-Show joy at reunion with particular adult, most comforted by them.
-Primary caregiver responds to signals

Question 7

What is stage 4 called

Answer 7

Multiple attachment (shortly after stage 3)

Question 8

Multiple attachment

Answer 8

-Babies begin to show attachment to other adults who they spend time with (secondary attachments)
-Schaffer and Emmerson found 29% of children had a secondary attachment a months after their primary one.