schaffers stages - evaluation

Question 1

Schaffer and Emerson’s study has external validity

Answer 1

• Most of the observations were made by parents during ordinary activities and reported to Rs
• So, the behaviour of the babies was unlikely to be affected by the presence of observers
• babies behaved naturally
• Has a high level of mundane realism as families were visited in their own home
• can be generalised to everyday situations

Question 2

The same children were followed-up

Answer 2

they do not have confounding variables of individual differences between Ps

Question 3

Schaffer and Emerson’s sample were a group of working class mothers in the 1960s Glasgow

Answer 3

Small sample size = 60 families
- The study may lack temporal validity, as child rearing practises have changed significantly in the last 50 years
- Used a limited sample so it is not representative = cant be generalised

Question 4

Schaffer and Emerson’s results relies on self reports from the mothers and their ability to observe

Answer 4

• Parents may be busy to record observations = miss things out
• Biased in what they report = might not report signs of anxiety = social desirable answers
• Behaviour is not accurately recorderd

Question 5

There are problems with a stage model

Answer 5

• Families are judged based on these inflexible stages
• if their child’s attachment do not follow the stages it could reflect badly on them
• Stages may apply differently to different cultures

Question 6

Problems studying the asocial stage

Answer 6

• Babies that are young have poor concentration and are generally almost immobile
• Therefore, it is difficult to make any judgements about them based on observations of their behaviour
• may do some actions that don’t have any meaning behind it
• It may be the babies are actually quite social but, because of flawed methods they appear to be asocial

Question 7

Longitudinal studies are time-consuming, expensive, and there is subject attrition (lots of people dropping out)