Stages of Attachment Flashcards
What are the stages of attachment?
Developmental stages where the infant’s behaviour towards others changes.
What is a primary attachment figure?
The first attachment figure, focusing more on interaction and response than just time spent with the baby.
What is multiple attachment?
Attachment towards two or more people.
What is separation anxiety?
The behaviour of a child when an adult leaves the room, indicating the erasure of attachment.
What is stranger anxiety?
The response of a child to an unfamiliar adult.
What was the objective of Schaffer and Emerson’s (1964) study?
To investigate the formation of early attachment in infants and the developmental sequences of attachment behaviours.
How many infants participated in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
60 infants (31 boys and 29 girls) from working-class families in Glasgow.
What methodology did Schaffer and Emerson use?
Mothers were interviewed monthly about their infants’ reactions in everyday situations, particularly when they left the room.
What were the key findings of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Attachment formed between 6-8 months in most infants, with strong attachments typically formed with the primary caregiver.
When did attachment to the mother peak according to Schaffer and Emerson?
Around 29-32 weeks, coinciding with the onset of separation anxiety.
What did Schaffer and Emerson conclude about attachment formation?
Attachment formation follows a clear developmental pattern, influenced by the infant’s interactions with caregivers.
What is a strength of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Good external validity, as most observations were made through parents during ordinary activities.
What is a counterpoint to the strengths of Schaffer and Emerson’s study?
Issues with mothers as observers may lead to biased reporting of their infants’ behaviours.
What is the first stage of attachment?
Asocial phase, occurring in the first few weeks, where infants respond similarly to humans and objects.
What characterizes the indiscriminate attachment phase?
From 2-7 months, infants begin to discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar people.
What occurs during the specific attachment stage?
At around 7 months, infants develop specific attachments and show separation anxiety.
What happens in the multiple attachment phase?
From about 8 months onwards, strong attachment ties are formed with other caregivers and non-caregivers.
What is the traditional view of parent-infant attachment?
The traditional view focuses on mother-child attachments.
What did Schaffer and Emerson find about father attachment?
Majority of babies become attached to their mother first, with only 3% having sole attachment to the father.
What did Grossman’s (2002) study suggest about fathers?
Fathers have a different role, focusing more on stimulation than nurturing.
What did Field (1978) find about primary and secondary caregivers?
Both mothers and fathers spent more time engaging with infants when they were primary caregivers.
What is a primary caregiver?
The one who spends the most time with the child.
What is a primary attachment?
The individual to whom the baby is attached.
