Stages of Attachment as Identified by Schaffer

Question 1

Explain the study Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 1

Investigate the formation of early attachment. Infants throughout their first 18 months, visited in their home every month for first year, then once at 18 months. By 18 months, most had formed attachments (some up to 5), some chose father for main attachment however most chose mother. Babies do not demonstrate monotropy, based on whose most responsive, attachment split into 4 distinct stages

Question 2

What is the Asocial Stage

Answer 2

First few weeks, cant recognize between humans and objects, happier in presence of humans

Question 3

What is the indiscriminate Stage

Answer 3

2-7 months, more observable social behavior, recognize familiar activity

Question 4

What is the Specific Stage

Answer 4

7 months, babies show separation anxiety (prefer mother), formed primary attachment with most interacted

Question 5

What is the Multiple Stage

Answer 5

About 1 year, allows for secondary attachments, 29% form attachments after a month

Question 6

A strength of Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 6

Good Validity

Question 7

A limitation of Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 7

Thorough research but limited sample characteristics

Question 8

Another limitation of Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 8

May be a problem with how multiple attachment is assessed

Question 9

Another limitation of Schaffer and Emerson (1964)

Answer 9

Problem in studying asocial stage