stages of attachment

Question 1

what are the 4 stages of attachment

Answer 1

•Asocial
•Indiscriminate
•Discriminate
•Multiple

Question 2

define Asocial stage

Answer 2

produce similar responses to all objects
more content when with people

Question 3

define Indiscriminate stage

Answer 3

•discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar
•smiling more at known
•easily comforted by anyone
•do not display stranger anxiety

Question 4

define Discriminate stage

Answer 4

•develop specific attachment to one person
• separation anxiety and joy on reunion
•avoid unfamiliar people

Question 5

define multiple attachment stage

Answer 5

develops wider circle of multiple attachments
display separation anxiety

Question 6

research into stages of attachment
Schaffer and Emerson
• aim
• procedure

Answer 6

aim-
investigate formation of early attachments and identify distinct stages

procedure-
60 infants, glasgow
studied each month of 1st year of life in own home
and again at 18 months

each visit mother reported responses to separation anxiety in 7 everyday situations
also assesses response to unfamiliar adults

Question 7

research into stages of attachment
•findings
•conclusions

Answer 7

findings-
first attachment usually formed 6 and 8 months
65% main attachment figure was mother at 18 months
only 3% father
by 18 months - 31% multiple attachment

conclusion - quality of relationship not quantity mattered most in formation of attachments

Question 8

Eval - validity :)

Answer 8

mundane realism - carried out in families homes
behaviour babies unlikely to be affected by observer

however - based on mothers reports
less sensitive - less likely to report
create systematic bias challenging the validity

Question 9

Eval- biased sample :(

Answer 9

small sample of 60
same district and social class
research also conducted in 1960 - care has changed considerably as more women work
findings lack temporal validity

Question 10

Eval - assessing multiple attachments :(

Answer 10

just because distressed when leaving room - doesn’t mean true attachment

doesn’t give way to distinguish between behaviour shown towards secondary A figures and playmates

Question 11

Eval - are multiple attachments as important as one primary caregiver?

Answer 11

form single attachment before multiple - important for later social/emotional development
however Thomas- tendency to form single is not good for healthy development
mixed evidence