Schaffers Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

What are the 4 stages identified by Schaffer?

Answer 1

Pre-Attachment phase
Indiscriminate
Discriminate
Multiple Attachment

Question 2

What occurs in the pre-attachment phase? When does it occur?

Answer 2

0-3 months

There is no difference in behaviour shown between inanimate objects and people

Question 3

What is the indiscriminate phase? When does it occur?

Answer 3

3-7 months

Different social behaviour towards people but no preference in who cares for it.

Question 4

What is Discriminate phase and when it occurs?

Answer 4

7 - 11 months

Infants are able to form a strong bond between them and an individual, showing separations anxiety and content and happy upon return.

Question 5

What is the multiple attachment phase and when does it occur?

Answer 5

9 months onwards
Baby can form secondary attachments with other people. These attachments may have different functions such play or nurture.

Question 6

Schaffer and Emerson study?

Answer 6

60 babies from working class families in Glasgow where observed and there parents interviewed.
Results showed
40 had a specific attachment to the mother
20 had one attachment to another individual other than the main caregiver

Conclusions