Stages of attachment

Question 1

What is stage 1 of attachment? (name the stage, state when it occurs and outline this)

Answer 1

asocial stage (first few weeks of life): where a baby’s behaviour towards inanimate objects and humans is fairly similar. They also tend to show a preference to familiar people and are more comforted by them. The baby is forming bonds with certain people which form the basis of later attachment

Question 1

What is stage 2 of attachment? (name the stage, state when it occurs and outline this)

Answer 1

indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months): babies start to show more observable and obvious social behaviours. They show a preference for being with humans rather than inanimate objects. Again, they have a preference for being with familiar people but usually will accept cuddles and comfort from anyone. They don’t usually show separation or stranger anxiety

Question 2

What is stage 3 of attachment? (name the stage, state when it occurs and outline this)

Answer 2

specific attachment (from around 7 months) - classic signs of attachment start to be displayed. For example: stranger anxiety and separation anxiety. They have formed a specific attachment to the primary attachment figure (who offers the most interaction and responds to the baby’s signals with the most skill

Question 3

What is stage 4 of attachment? (name the stage, state when it occurs and outline this)

Answer 3

multiple attachments (by the age of 1): they go from an attachment with one person, to multiple people who they sped time with. These are called secondary attachments