Schaffer's stages of attachment Flashcards
Various theories have identified stages in the development of attachments. What are ‘stages of attachment’?
Many developmental theories identify a sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages. In stages of attachment some characteristics of the infant’s behaviour towards others change as the infant gets older.
What did Schaffer and Emerson aim to investigate in 1964?
Schaffer and Emerson aimed to investigate the formation of early attachments, in particular the age at which they developed, their emotional intensity and to whom they were directed.
How large was the sample studied by Schaffer and Emerson?
The study involved 60 babies: 31 males and 29 females.
What did the infants from Schaffer and Emerson’s sample have in common?
All infants were from Glasgow and the majority were from skilled working-class families.
How did Schaffer and Emerson investigate their sample of 60 babies?
The babies and their mothers were visited at their home every month for the first year and again at 18 months. The researchers asked the mothers questions about the kind of protest their babies showed in seven everyday separations. This was designed to measure the infant’s attachment.
Which two types of anxiety were assessed by Schaffer and Emerson?
Separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
Between 25 and 32 weeks of age, what percentage of the infants studied showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult?
Between 25 and 32 weeks of age about 50% of the babies showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult, usually the mother. This is called a specific attachment.
Which caregiver did the infants typically direct their attachment towards?
Attachment tended to be to the caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to infant signals and facial expressions (i.e. reciprocity). This was not necessarily the person with whom the infant spend most time.
By the age of 40 weeks, what percentage of the babies studied had formed a specific attachment?
By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment.
By the age of 40 weeks, what percentage of the babies studied has formed multiple attachments?
By the age of 40 weeks, almost 30% displayed multiple attachments.
What are multiple attachments?
Attachments to two or more people. Most babies appear to develop multiple attachments once they have formed one true attachment to a main carer.
Based on the information they gathered on developing attachments, Schaffer and Emerson proposed that attachments develop in how many stages?
They proposed that attachments develop in four stages.
According to Schaffer and Emerson, attachments develop in four stages. What are these four stages?
Stage 1: Asocial stage
Stage 2: Indiscriminate attachment
Stage 3: Specific attachment
Stage 4: Multiple attachments
When do babies experience the asocial stage of attachment?
Babies experience the asocial stage during their first few weeks of life.
What happens during the asocial stage of attachment?
This is not really an asocial stage as the baby is recognising and forming bonds with its carers. However:
-The baby’s behaviour
towards non-human
objects and humans is
similar
- Babies show some preference for familiar adults in that those individuals find it easier to calm them.
- Babies are happier when
in the presence of other
humans.
When do babies experience indiscriminate attachment?
Babies experience indiscriminate attachment between 2 and 7 months.
What happens during indiscriminate attachment?
From 2-7 months babies display more observable social behaviour:
- They show a preference for people rather than inanimate objects, and recognise and prefer familiar adults
- Babies usually accept
cuddles and comfort
from any adult - They do not usually
show separation anxiety
or stranger anxiety
- Their attachment behaviour is said to be indiscriminate because it is no different towards any one person
When do babies experience specific attachments?
Babies experience specific attachments from around 7 months.
What happens during the stage of ‘specific attachment’?
- The majority of babies
start to display stranger
anxiety and separation
anxiety - The baby is thought to
have formed a specific
attachment with a
primary caregiver
When do babies experience multiple attachments?
Babies experience multiple attachments from one year onwards.
What happens during the stage of ‘multiple attachments’?
- Babies form secondary
attachments with other
adults with whom they
regularly spend time - By the age of about one
year the majority of
infants have developed
multiple attachments
