Schaffer’s Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

What was the Schaffer and Emerson study?

Answer 1

• A longitudinal study completed in Scotland that followed the development of 60 infants
• using naturalistic observations where infants were observed every 4 weeks for up to 1 year and then observed again once in 18 months

Question 2

How was attachment measured in Schaffer’s and Emerson’s study??

Answer 2

• levels of separation protest = measured by asking mothers to describe intensity of protest when infant was left in 7 everyday situations which was then rated on a 4 point scale
• levels of stranger anxiety = measured by assessing infants response to the interviewer at each visit

Question 3

What were the results of Schaffer’s and Emerson’s study??

Answer 3

• Half the children showed their first specific attachment between 6-8months which tended to be the mother
• fear of strangers began about a month after in all children
• 7 months 29% has formed several attachment figures and by 10 months 50% had more than one attachment and by 18 months it was 87%
• 39% of infants had primary attachment with someone other than the person who fed, bathed and changed them

Question 4

What were conclusions of the Schaffer and Emerson study??

Answer 4

• common patterns in development of attachment bonds, suggests that formation of attachment bonds is biologically determined
• attachments develop over time
• multiple attachments are the norm
• attachment is liked to form with those who show sensitivity and responsiveness

Question 5

What are the stages of attachment??

Answer 5

• asocial stage = infant produces similar response to objects and people with no preference but towards the end show a preference for social stimuli - 0-5 weeks
• indiscriminate stage = babies are more sociable and can tell people apart and prefer to be in human accompany. They can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people but still comforted by anyone. Do not show stranger anxiety - 2-7months
• discriminate stage = infants begin to show stranger anxiety and show separation anxiety , show strong attachment and preference to individual but good subsequent attachments are often made from 9 months - 7-11 months
• multiple attachments stage = baby now makes several attachments to important people in their life and show separation anxiety in these secondary attachments - 11months+

Question 6

What are the strengths of the stages of attachments??

Answer 6

• supporting evidence
• practical applications

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of the stages of attachment??

Answer 7

• considered culturally specific
• methodological problems