Stages of Attachment Flashcards
1
Q
How did Shaffer and Emerson (1964) investigate the development of attachment?
A
- longitudinal study
- followed 60 infants and their mothers
- 2 years
- concluded there were 4 stages to the development of attachment
2
Q
What are the four stages of attachment proposed by Shaffer and Emerson (1964)?
A
- pre-attachment (0-3 months)
- indiscriminate (3-7 months)
- discriminate (7 months onwards)
- multiple attachments (7 months onwards)
3
Q
What happens in pre-attachment?
A
- from 6 weeks, infants become attached to other humans
- prefer humans to objects and events
- shown by smiling at people’s faces
4
Q
What happens in indiscriminate attachment?
A
- infants discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar faces
- smiling more at people they know
- still allow strangers to hold them
5
Q
What happens in discriminate attachment?
A
- develop primary attachment figure (usually mother)
- show separation protest and stranger anxiety
6
Q
What conclusions did Shaffer and Emerson make regarding discriminate attachment?
A
- noticed primary attachment figure wasn’t always who infant spent the most time with
- quality over quantity when forming attachments
7
Q
What is separation protest?
A
When an infant shows distress if their primary attachment figure leaves them.
8
Q
What is stranger anxiety?
A
When an infant shows distress if approached by an individual they don’t know.
9
Q
What happens in multiple attachments?
A
- infants develop strong emotional ties with other major caregivers
- secondary attachments are formed
- w
