Schaffers Stages Of Attachment Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are the stages of attachment?
A sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages.
according to many developmental theories
All babies go through these stages in the same order.
What are multiple attachments?
Attachments to two or more people, typically developing after forming one strong attachment to a primary caregiver.
What is the procedure of schaffer and emerson study?
Studied 60 babies
- Observed in their own homes
- From working class skilled families in Glasgow
- Observed babies once a month 12 months and once again at 18 months
- Mothers asked to report babies protests during 7 everyday separations
How they measured babies attachment
How many babies were studied in Schaffer and Emerson’s research?
60 babies: 31 boys and 29 girls.
What type of research method was used in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Naturalistic observation.
How many stages are in schaffer and emersons stages of attachment?
4 stages
- Stage 1: Asocial stage
- Stage 2: Indiscriminate attachment
- Stage 3: Specific attachment
- Stage 4: Multiple attachment
What characterizes the asocial stage of attachment?
Behavior towards people and objects is similar, with a preference for familiar people, starting from birth.
Froms the basis of later attachment
What occurs during the indiscriminate attachment stage?
From 2-7 months, babies prefer humans to objects, recognize familiar people, and show no separation or stranger anxiety.
Usually accept cuddles and comfort from anyone
What defines the specific attachment stage?
Babies show signs of attachment to one person who best responds to babys cues and offers most interactions called the primary attachment figure , typically around 7 months+
PAF: mother 65% of the time
Displays separation and stranger anxiety
What percentage of the time is the mother the primary attachment figure?
65% of the time.
What happens during the multiple attachments stage?
Babies extend attachment behaviors to other regular caregivers, forming secondary attachments.
Majority of babies form secondary attachments by age 1
29% of babies formed secondary attachments a month after forming primary ones
What are the ages for each stage?
Stage 1: From birth
Stage 2: 2-7 months
Stage 3: 7 months+
Stage 4: By age 1
What is a strength of Schaffer and Emerson’s research?
Good external validity due to real-life settings.
What is another strength of schaffer and emerson related parents?
Parents made observations and reported to researchers
Researchers presence may of distracted babies
What are other strengths of schaffer and emerson’s research?
- Participants acted naturally
- Large scale study
- Can be applied to childcare, starting a baby during stage 1 and stage 2 is better than starting at stage 3
What is a limitation related to the mothers’ observations?
They may not be objective or accurately remember and record their baby’s behaviors.
May not notice signs of anxiety
Whats another limitation of schaffer and emersons research relating to the asocial stage?
It is hard to interpret because babies may be more social than asocial.
Whats a limitation with the sample used in the study?
Only one sample with unique features was researched.
