Stages of attachment

Question 1

List and describe the first stage of attachment

Answer 1

indiscriminate attachment

• from birth until two months, infants produce similar responses to all objects whether it be animate, or inanimate
• towards the end of this period, infants begin to show a stronger preference for social stimuli
• reciprocity and interactional synchrony play a role in establishing the infants relationship with others

Question 2

List and describe the second stage of attachment

Answer 2

The beginnings of attachment

• at 4 months infants become more social
• they prefer human company to inanimate objects
• they can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people
• they are comforted by anyone and do not show stranger anxiety
• the most distinctive feature of this phase is their enjoyment of being with other people

Question 3

List and describe the third stage of attachment

Answer 3

discriminate attachment

• by seven months old infants show separation anxiety
• they equally show joy at reunion with their primary attachment caregiver
• around this time, infants also begin to display anxiety which shows a sign of a specific attachment being formed

Question 4

List and describe the last stage of attachment

Answer 4

• after the main attachment is formed, the infant develops a wider circle of multiple attachments
• about 29% of infants with one attachment make another within a one month time frame

Question 5

What is primary attachment?

Answer 5

The person who has formed the closet bond with the infant, demonstrated by the intensity of the relationship

Question 6

What is separation anxiety?

Answer 6

distress shown by an infant when separated from his/her caregiver

Question 7

What is stranger anxiety?

Answer 7

distress shown by an infant when picked up or approached by someone who is unfamiliar (for example extended family)