schaffer's study + theory Flashcards

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1
Q

what was Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

A
  • Studied 60 Glaswegian (glasgow) babies from working-class families
  • Babies visited at their home every month for the first year, and then at 18 months
  • Mothers were questioned about separation anxiety (mother leaving room) and stranger anxiety (presence of unknown adults)
  • Ecological validity as in natural environment
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2
Q

what were Schaffer + Emmerson’s findings

A
  • Between 6-8 months of age 50% of babies were showing separation anxiety with PAF (Primary attachment figure)
  • Reciprocity (responding to and interacting with the baby) was key in who the primary attachment figure was - i.e. Whoever did it most (not whoever spent most time with the baby) was the primary attachment figure
  • By 10 months 80% had a PAF and 30% had secondary attachment figures
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3
Q

what are the +ve AO3 points for Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

A
  • Good ecological validity
  • Longitudinal Design
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4
Q

expand on the +ve AO3 point: good ecological validity

A
  • babies/parents were being observed/questioned in their own homes
  • mothers reported back to researchers (i.e. They observed their babies constantly during ordinary day to day life- so there were no observer effects)
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5
Q

expand on the +ve AO3 point: longitudinal design

A
  • the study took place over many months with the same babies consistently being observed and assessed means the study has good internal validity
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6
Q

what are the -ve AO3 points for Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

A
  • lacks population validity
  • lacks temporal validity
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7
Q

expand on the -ve AO3 point: lacks population validity

A
  • 60 babies from the same background in the same city (and over 50 years ago - Temporal validity)
  • Sample lacks population validity and results can therefore only be generalised with caution
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8
Q

expand on the -ve AO3 point: lacks temporal validity

A
  • 60 babies from the same background in the same city and over 50 years ago
  • no attachment to dad even at 10 months, not the case now → paternal leave + shared paternal leave
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9
Q

what were Schaffer’s stages of attachment

A
  • Stage 1. Asocial stage (first four weeks)
  • Stage 2. Indiscriminate Attachment
  • Stage 3. Specific (or Discriminate) Attachment
  • Stage 4. Multiple Attachments
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10
Q

what is Stage 1. Asocial stage (first four weeks)

A
  • The baby is only capable of limited interaction (hence “asocial”) but the baby does recognise the primary attachment figure and starts to form bonds with her(him).
  • Not too much difference between the way babies interact with objects and humans
  • Babies are happier in the presence of other humans
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11
Q

what is Stage 2. Indiscriminate Attachment

A
  • From 2-7 months babies show a preference for humans over objects
  • Babies usually accept cuddles and comfort from any adult (hence “indiscriminate”)
  • No separation anxiety or stranger anxiety
  • They are happier/smile more at familiar adults
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12
Q

what is Stage 3. Specific (or Discriminate) Attachment

A
  • From around 7 months the majority of babies start to display anxiety towards strangers and anxiety when separated from the primary attachment figure (Mum in 65% of cases)
  • It is at this point that the relationship with the primary attachment figure is fully/intensely established
  • This is not necessarily the person that spends the most time with the baby but the one who responds to/interacts with him/her the most
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13
Q

what is Stage 4. Multiple Attachments

A
  • After the relationship with the primary attachment figure is fully established, a baby starts to form multiple (secondary) attachments with other adults who he/she sees regularly.
  • In Schaffer and Emmerson’s study this 30% had secondary attachments by 10 months.
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14
Q

what are the -ve AO3 points with Schaffer’s stages of attachment

A
  • Problems with observation
  • Conflicting evidence on multiple attachments
  • measuring multiple attachments
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15
Q

expand on the -ve AO3 point: problems with observation

A
  • It is very difficult for psychologists to make any accurate judgements when they observe babies during the “asocial” stage.
  • This is because new babies are immobile and can barely control their movements so there may be a lot going on psychologically but their physical action may not reflect this
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16
Q

expand on the -ve AO3 point: Conflicting evidence on multiple attachments

A
  • Although many psychologists (Bowlby, Schaffer and Emmerson) agree that multiple attachments don’t occur until the primary attachment figure is established, other psychologists disagree.
  • In many cultures (collectivist) multiple attachments from birth are the norm.
  • So psychologists such as Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg believe all babies are capable of these from the outset.
17
Q

expand on the -ve AO3 point: measuring multiple attachments

A
  • The main measure of attachment is whether the baby cries when the adult leaves the room.
  • If they do, then a judgement is made that this adult is an attachment figure.
  • This could be incorrect - sometimes babies cry because an adult that plays with them/brings fun leaves and play stops - this adult is not an attachment figures.
  • This is a weakness of Schaffer and Emmerson’s research and theory. It does not allow us to distinguish between attachment figures and mere playmates!