Stages of Attachment

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate the formation of early attachment with specific focus on the particular age they developed and their emotional intensity and to whom it is directed.

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

60 babies from Glasgow and working class families studied at monthly intervals for first 18months of life in their own home. (longitudinal study). Interactions with caregiver were observed and they interviewed them but also asked them to keep a diary. Three measures were recorded; stranger anxiety, separation anxiety, and social referencing.

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

Between 25-32 weeks about 50% showed separation anxiety towards particular adult, usually mother. Attachment tended to be to caregiver most interactive and sensitive so wasn’t always the one who spent the most time with them. By 40 weeks 80% had a specific attachment and 40% displayed multiple attachments.

Question 4

Stages of Attachment

Answer 4

Asocial stage, indiscriminate stage, specific attachment, and multiple attachment

Question 5

Asocial Stage

Answer 5

Behaviours towards humans an inanimate objects is similar, but prefer humans and are more easily comforted by people. Form bonds which form basis for later attachments

Question 6

Indiscriminate Attachment (2-7 months)

Answer 6

Show clear preference for humans. Recognise and prefer familiar people. But will accept comfort from anyone so don’t show separation or stranger anxiety.

Question 7

Specific Attachment (7-12 months)

Answer 7

Start to show classical signs of attachment to one person including separation and stranger anxiety. Formed a specific attachment to primary caregiver who responds to alert phrases and offers interaction.

Question 8

Multiple Attachment (1+ years)

Answer 8

Start to show attachment towards other people who regularly spend time with. Secondary attachments. 29% formed these within a month of primary specific attachment.

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Good external validity.
Most observations made by parents during normal activities.
More likely to have observed natural behaviour so has ecological validity.
However… mothers may be subjective and may show social desirability bias so lacks internal validity.

Question 10

Weakness (M)

Answer 10

Measured to assess attachment in asocial stage are questionable.
Babies have poor mobility so if feel anxiety can’t really show it so hard for it to be reported.
Not accurate and flawed methods.
Furthermore… problems with assessment in multiple attachments as just because child distressed when individual leaves doesn’t mean attachment as gets distressed when play mate leaves (Bowlby). Lacks validity.

Question 11

Weakness (B)

Answer 11

Biased sample.
Working class and from Glasgow.
Culturally biased as collectivist cultures may be different.
Furthermore.. lacks temporal validity as in modern families it isn’t always the man in instrumental and women in expressive role.