Stages Of Attachment

Question 1

What are the 4 stages (All Infants Say Mum)

Answer 1

• Asocial stage (0-6 weeks)
• Indiscriminate attachment (6 weeks-6 months)
• Specific attachment (7+ months)
• Multiple attachment (10/11+ months)

Question 2

Schaffer and Emerson (1964): Key study

Answer 2

• This involved 60 working-class babies from Glasgow. The babies and their mother were visited at home every month for the first year, and then after 18 months. The researcher asked about separation and stranger anxiety
• Between 25 and 32 weeks, about 50% showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult
• Attachment tended to be to the caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive the babies signals, not necessarily who spent the most time with them
• By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment, with 30% displaying multiple attachment

Question 3

Evaluation of Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 3

• Good external validity: This is because it was carried out in the participants homes, meaning the behaviour will most likely be natural
• Longitudinal design: They do not have individual differences between participants
• Limited sample size: Small sample of only 60, as well as them being all from Glasgow reduced generalisability. Different cultures have different ways to bring up children

Question 4

Asocial stage (stage 1): 0 to 6 weeks

Answer 4

• Behaviour between humans and non-human objects quite similar
• Happier in presence of humans than alone
• Preference for familiar people
• Smile at anyone

Question 5

Indiscriminate attachment (stage 2): 6 weeks to 6 months

Answer 5

• Recognise and prefer familiar people
• Smile more at familiar faces
• Preference for people over inanimate objects
• Accept comfort from any adult

Question 6

Specific attachment (stage 3): 7 months +

Answer 6

• Primary attachment to one particular individual (most sensitive to their signals)
• Shows stranger anxiety
• Shows separation anxiety
• Use of adult as a secure base

Question 7

Multiple attachment (stage 4): 10/11 months +

Answer 7

• Form secondary attachments with familiar adults whom they spend time with (e.g father)

Question 8

Evaluation of stages of attachment

Answer 8

• Issue studying the asocial stage: Babies that are young have poor co-ordination and are generally pretty much immobile. This makes judgements biased on their behaviour difficult as there is very little observable behaviour to see. This makes the evidence difficult to rely on
• Differing cultures have different upbringing methods: The stage are based on a western culture (more individualistic), whereas more collective cultures who have multiple caregivers may form multiple attachments from the onset. This makes the stages have potential cultural bias