Schaffer's Stages of Attachment

Question 1

Aim of Schaffer’s experiment

Answer 1

Investigate formation of early attachments: what age , etc.

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

60 babies: 31 male and 29 female. Maj were from skilled working class fams. Babies and mums were visited every month for 1st year and again at 18 months. Researchers asked mothers how babies reacted in 7 everyday situations: mum leaving room or how they are with unfamiliar adults.

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

25-32 weeks, 50% showed separation anxiety towards caregiver, mostly mother (specific attachment) Attachment tended to be to the caregiver that was most interactive and sensitive to infant signals. 40 weeks, 80% had specific attachment and 20% had multiple attachments.

Question 4

Stages

Answer 4

Asocial, Indiscriminate, Specific, Multiple

Question 5

Asocial Stage

Answer 5

1st few weeks. Baby is recognising and forming bonds with carers. However baby’s behaviour to human and non humans is similar. Also happy in presence of other humans.

Question 6

Indiscriminate Attachment

Answer 6

2-7 months: more social behaviour. Show preference for ppl than inanimate objects. Recognise and prefer familiar adults. Accept cuddles from any1 and don’t usually show separation/stranger anxiety.

Question 7

Specific Attachment

Answer 7

7 months

Question 8

Multiple Attachment

Answer 8

1 year: attach to other people they spend time with regularly: secondary attachment.

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Good external validity. Behaviour of babies was unaffected by presence of observers. Natural behaviour.

Question 10

Strength

Answer 10

Longitudinal design. Same children were observed regularly. Alternative was cross sectional design where observe different children at each age. However longitudinal design have more internal validity as no confounding variables of individual differences between participants.

Question 11

Weakness

Answer 11

Problem studying the asocial stage. Described 1st few weeks as asocial although interactions took place. There isn’t much observable behaviour as too young.

Question 12

Weakness

Answer 12

Measuring multiple attachment. Just because person leaves the room and that makes the baby distressed, doesnt mean the individual is the true attachment figure. Could get distressed when playmates leave the room meaning it isnt necessarily attachment. No evidence showing difference between secondary attachment and playmates.

Question 13

Weakness

Answer 13

Conflictimg evidence on multiple attachments. Some believe babies form multiple attachments from the outset instead of forming single main carer before multiple attachments.