Schaffers Stages Of Attachment Flashcards
What was Schaffer and Emersons aims and method?
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) Glasgow babies. They aimed to investigate the formation of early attachment in particular the age in which they developed, their emotional intensity and whom they where directed. They used a sample size of 60 babies (31 males and 29 females) from Glasgow with the majority being from working-class families. This was a longitudinal study where the babies and mothers where studied every month for the first year then again at 18 months. They used observations and interviews with the mothers. They assessed separation anxiety/protest; through the infant being left in a pram outside the shop and left in a cot at night etc. They also assessed stranger anxiety with the researcher starting home visits by approaching the infant to see if there was any distress.
What where Schaffer and Emersons findings and conclusions?
They found between 25-32 weeks about 50% of babies showed separation anxiety towards their caregiver (usually the mother). Attachment tended to be to the caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to the infants’ signals and facial expression (reciprocity). This wasn’t necessarily the person with whom the infant spent most time.
By 40 weeks 80% of babies has a specific attachment (to the primary caregiver) and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments. E.g Father, grandparents etc.
This suggests that there is a pattern of attachment common to all infants which is biologically controlled. Furthermore, attachments are more easily made with those who are sensitive for example recognising and responding appropriately to an infant’s needs, rather than those spending the most time with a child.
What are the 4 stages of attachment?
Asocial attachment stage
Indiscriminate attachment stage
specific attachment stage
multiple attachment stage
Asocial attachment stage
Age?
Key behaviour?
0-6 weeks
Similar responses to objects & people. Preference for faces/ eyes
Indiscriminate attachment stage
Age?
Key behaviour?
(6 weeks – 7 months)
Preference for human company. Ability to distinguish between people but comforted indiscriminately.
Specific
Age?
Key behaviours?
(7 months +)
Infants show a preference for one caregiver, displaying separation and stranger anxiety. The baby looks to particular people for security, comfort and protection.
Multiple
Age?
Key behaviour?
(10/11 months +)
Attachment behaviours are displayed towards several different people eg. siblings, grandparents etc.
What are the + of Schaffers stages of attachment?
The research has high ecological validity
The research is a longitudinal study so is not affected by participant variables
The stages of attachment has a real-world application in day-care/nursery settings
The research lacks generalisability
The research may suffer from researcher bias
There is poor evidence for the asocial stage.
