stages of attachment - Schaffer

Question 1

what did Schaffer and Emerson study?

Answer 1

studied 60 babies from Glasgow at monthly intervals for the first 18 months of life (this is known as a longitudinal study).

Question 2

how was the data recorded in Schaffer and Emerson’s study?

Answer 2

The mother kept a diary to examine the evidence for the development of an attachment- stranger and separation anxiety

Question 3

name the 4 stages

Answer 3

1) asocial - 0-6 weeks
2) indiscriminate- 6w-7m
3) specific 7-9m
4) multiple- 10m+

Question 4

asocial stage

Answer 4

asocial in that many kinds of stimuli, both social and non-social, produce a favorable reaction, such as a smile.

Question 5

indiscriminate attachment

Answer 5

show a preference for humans over inanimate objects and recognise and prefer familiar adults

Question 6

specific attachment

Answer 6

preference for a single attachment figure. The baby looks to particular people for security, comfort, and protection. It shows fear of strangers and unhappiness when separated from a special person

Question 7

multiple attachment

Answer 7

The baby becomes increasingly independent and forms several attachments. By 18 months, the majority of infants have formed multiple attachments.

Question 8

one strength of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 8

P- It has good external validity as it was carried out in the families homes and recorded by the parents.
E- This means the behaviour of the babies was unlikely to be affected by observers.
T- therefore the study has good external validity.

Question 9

one limitation of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 9

P- Limited sample characteristics-all families in the study were from the same area and social class over 50 years ago.
E- child- rearing practices vary from one culture to another
T- The results don’t generalize well with other social and historical contexts.