Schaffer's Stages of Attachment Flashcards
1
Q
Stages of Development
Definition
A
- Many developmental theories identify a sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages.
- All babies go through them in the same order.
2
Q
Stage One
Asocial Stage
A
- In the first weeks of life.
- Behavious towards humans and inanimate objects is fairly similar.
- Babies tend to show a preference for the company of familiar people and are easily comforted by them.
- Bonds formed with certain people are the basis of later attachments.
3
Q
Stage 2
Indiscriminate Attachment
A
- From 2 to 7 months.
- Babies start to display more obvious social behaviours.
- Show a clear preference for humans than inanimate objects.
- Recognise and prewfer the company of familiar people.
- Babies usually accept cuddles and comfort from any person.
- Do not show separation anxiety or stranger anxiety.
4
Q
Stage 3
Specific Attachment
A
- From around 7 months.
- Babies display signs of attachment to one person.
- Signs include separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
- This attachment formed is the primary attachment figure.
- This person is not necessarily the individual the child spends the most time with.
- It is the person who responds to the baby’s ‘signals’ with the most skill.
5
Q
Stage 4
Multiple Attachments
A
- Shortly after Stage 3.
- The behaviour is extended to multiple attachments with other people they spend time with.
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964) observed that 29% of children formed secondart attachments within a month of forming primary attachments.
- By the age of one, all babies had developed multiple attachments.
6
Q
Evaluation
Good External Validity
Strength
A
- Schaffer and Emerson (1964) as good external validity.
- Observations were made by parents during ordinary activities.
- If the researchers were present and making the observations, it may have distracted the babies.
This means it is likely the participants behaved naturally while being observed.
7
Q
A
