Schaffers stages of attachment Flashcards
What was the focus of Schaffer and Emerson’s (1964) research?
The formation of early infant-caregiver attachments
The research was based on a stages theory and involved observational study.
How many babies were involved in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
60 babies
The sample included 31 boys and 29 girls, primarily from skilled working-class families in Glasgow.
At what ages did researchers visit babies and mothers in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Every month for the first year and again at 18 months
What types of anxiety were measured in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Separation anxiety and stranger anxiety
What age range did most babies start to show separation anxiety?
6-8 months old (Indiscriminate attachment)
At what age did fear of strangers typically develop in infants?
9 months
What percentage of first attachments were with the mother according to the study?
65%
What is the percentage of first attachments that were with the father?
3%
What are the four stages of attachment identified by Schaffer and Emerson?
- Asocial stage (0-8 weeks)
- Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months)
- Specific attachment (7-12 months)
- Multiple attachment (1 year onwards)
Describe the asocial stage of attachment.
Observable behavior towards humans and inanimate objects is similar; signs of preference for people are present
Behaviors include smiling at anyone, preferring faces, and being sad when alone.
What characterizes the indiscriminate attachment stage?
Babies show a preference for humans over inanimate objects, accept comfort from any adult, and do not show separation or stranger anxiety.
What behaviors indicate the specific attachment stage?
Separation anxiety, stranger anxiety, and using familiar adults as a base
What is meant by ‘primary attachment figure’?
The person with whom a baby forms a specific attachment, usually providing the most interaction
What happens during the multiple attachment stage?
Babies extend attachment behaviors to multiple people with whom they regularly spend time
29% formed secondary attachments within a month of forming a primary attachment.
What are some strengths of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Naturalistic observation, external validity, and high reliability, has mundane realism
What are some limitations of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Less objective due to reliance on mothers’ accounts, potential bias, and lack of generalizability
The study’s sample was ethnocentric and not representative.
True or False: The study had high mundane realism.
True
The study was Longitudinal, explain the limitations of this.
-Expensive- large sample size
-Time consuming, can be replaced for a cross sectional design however this has low control on confounding variables.
-High drop out rate (Attrition), leads to a decrease in representation
Data was collected in 1964, how is this a limitation
-Lacks temporal validity - Outdated
-Not applicable to modern day
-Different historical context (Gender equality, economic climate)
