Schaffer's stages of attachment

Question 1

Who did the stages of attachment study?

Answer 1

Schaffer and Emerson 1964

Question 2

What was the stages of attachment research study?

Answer 2

Longitudinal study in Scotland that followed the development of 60 infants. Used naturalistic observations - infants observed every for weeks for one year then observed once more at eighteen months.

Question 3

What was measured in the stages of attachment study?

Answer 3

Levels of separation protest
Levels of stranger anxiety

Question 4

How were levels of separation protest measured in the stages of attachment experiment?

Answer 4

Asked mothers to describe the intensity of any protest when the infant was left in seven everyday situations which was then rated on a four point scale.

Question 5

How were levels of stranger anxiety measured in the stages of attachment experiment?

Answer 5

This was measured by assessing infant’s response to the interviewer at each visit

Question 6

What were the results of the stages of attachment study?

Answer 6

6 - 8 months - 50% of children showed their first specific attachment
10 months - 50% had more than one attachment, by 18 months, this was up to 87%.
39% of infants had a primary attachment with someone other than the person who usually changed, fed and bathed them.

Question 7

What conclusions could you draw from the results of the stages of attachment research?

Answer 7

Attachment bonds were biologically determined due to common patterns. Bonds likely to be formed with those who show sensitivity and responsiveness. Multiple attachments are the norm.

Question 8

What was the first stage of attachment?

Answer 8

Pre-attachment - 0 - 3 months

Question 9

What is the pre-attachment stage?

Answer 9

Infant produces similar responses to objects and people. They show no preference for specific people, but towards the end of this stage, they show a preference for social stimuli.

Question 10

What is the second stage of attachment?

Answer 10

Indiscriminate attachment stage - 3 - 7 months

Question 11

What is the indiscriminate attachment stage?

Answer 11

Babies become more sociable and can tell people apart. Can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people but are still relatively comforted by anyone. Infants at this stage do not show stranger anxiety.

Question 12

What is the third stage of attachment?

Answer 12

Specific attachment stage - 7/8 months +

Question 13

What is the specific attachment stage?

Answer 13

Infants begin to show separation anxiety and stranger anxiety. They show a strong preference towards one individual. Good subsequent attachments often made from 9 months.

Question 14

What is the fourth stage of attachment?

Answer 14

Multiple attachments - 11 months plus

Question 15

What is the multiple attachment stage?

Answer 15

The baby now makes several attachments to important people in their life. Infants also display separation anxiety in these secondary attachments

Question 16

Is there research to support the stages of attachment?

Answer 16

Schaffer and Emerson found that most of the 60 infants in the study formed specific attachments between 6 - 8 months. 87% showed multiple attachments

Question 17

Are there methodological issues with the research supporting the stages of attachment?

Answer 17

Working class families in Glasgow in the 1960’s, making it hard to generalise. Less mothers staying at home. Number of fathers at home has quadrupled over the last 25 years.

Question 18

Are there practical applications of the stages of attachment?

Answer 18

Could help identify abnormal or unusual attachments. Interventions such as parent/child support services + NHS child support services such as parenting classes.

Question 19

Are the stages of attachment considered culturally specific?

Answer 19

Carried out in individualistic cultures where you are cared for by immediate family. Group care is common in collectivist cultures.