Stages of Attachment Flashcards
Stage 1
Asocial stage (0-2 months)
- Baby’s behaviour is the same towards humans and inanimate objects, no real distinction.
- Happier in presence of other humans
Stage 2
Indiscriminate Attachment (2-7 months)
- Babies shows a preference for human company. The know the difference between un/familiar faces but can be comforted by anyone.
- Behaviour toward known people and strangers is the same.
Stage 3
Specific Attachment (7 months)
- Babies can form attachments and have a preference for a specific attachment to the PCG
- They can discriminate b/w PCG and others
- Show separation anxiety and stranger anxiety.
Stage 4
Multiple Attachments (8/9-12 months)
- The child begins to develop strong emotional ties with other major caregivers.
Schaffer and Emerson study aim
To find out what age babies form attachments
Schaffer and Emerson study
Sample of 60 w/c babies from Glasgow. Researcher visited homes monthly for a year then again at 18 months. Mothers observed the babies behaviours:
separation and stranger anxiety.
Schaffer and Emerson study Results
6-8 months: 50% of infants showed separation anxiety
9 months: 80% attachment to mum
18 months: 87% formed multiple attachment
All aligned with the stages of attachment
Schaffer and Emerson study Conclusions
The researchers concluded that feeding or the amount of time the person spent with the infant were not the most critical factors in the formation of attachment. The researchers observed that the mother had responded quickly and sensitively to their ‘signals’ (needs) and offered their child the most interaction. Shaffer and Emerson called this sensitive responsiveness.
Sensitive responsiveness
Infant forms greatest attachment to whoever tends to their needs quickly and sensitively.
+ AO3 Schaffer and Emerson
High external validity
- AO3s Schaffer and Emerson
Low population validity
Low temporal validity
Social desirability bias
