Schaffers Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

Stages of attachmnet definition

Answer 1

Many development theories identify a sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages

Question 2

4 Stages of attachment (AISM)

Answer 2

1. Asocial stage
2. Indiscriminate attachment
3. Specific attachment
4. Multiple attachment

Question 3

Asocial stage

Answer 3

• 2 weeks
• Observable behaviour towards humans and inanimate objects is fairly similar. (no one)

Question 4

Indiscriminate attachment stage

Answer 4

• 2 to 7 months
• They recognise and prefer the company of familiar people
• Usually accept hugs from ANYONE
• Usually show separation and stranger anxiety

Question 5

Specific attachment stage

Answer 5

• 7-9 months
• Signs of attachment for ONE particular person
• Includes anxiety towards strangers especially if attachment figure is absence
• Baby forms a specific attachment (primary attachment figure)
• Mother in 65% of cases

Question 6

Multiple attachment stage

Answer 6

• 1 year old
• MULTIPLE attachments with other people whom they spend time with
• Secondary attachments
• 29% of children form secondary attachments within a month of forming a primary attachment

Question 7

Schaffer and Emerson’s research
PARTICIPANTS

Answer 7

• 60 babies = 31 Male and 29 Female
• Glasgow
• Skilled working-class families

Question 8

Schaffer and Emerson’s research
PROCEDURE

Answer 8

Babies and mothers were visited at home every month for the first year and again at 18 months.
13 total visits
Longitudinal study

Question 9

Schaffer and Emerson’s research
RESULTS

Answer 9

• Between 25 and 32 weeks old 50% of babies showed separation anxiety, usually the mother (specific attachment).
• Attachment tended to be to caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to infants signals and facial expressions (reciprocity).
• Not necessarily the person that the infant spent most time with.
• By 40 weeks 80% of babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments.

Question 10

Schaffer’s stages of attachment evaluation points- High external validity

Answer 10

STRENGTH

Observer was with the parent so they didn’t lie. Mothers did the observing so babies weren’t stressed by being observed

Question 11

Schaffer’s stages of attachment evaluation points- Real world application

Answer 11

STRENGTH

Nursery settings show the characteristics of the
stages.

Question 12

Schaffer’s stages of attachment evaluation points- Poor evidence for the asocial stage

Answer 12

LIMITATION

Babies don’t really offer much in the first few weeks!