Stages of attachment (Schaffer)

Question 1

Explain Schaffer & Emerson (1964)?

Answer 1

• Longitudinal study in Scotland following development of attachments in 60 infants
• Naturalistic observations, infants observed every 4 weeks up to 1 year
• Infants observed once more at 18 months

Question 2

How was attachment measured in Schaffer & Emerson (1964)?
(2 areas)

Answer 2

1. Levels of separation protest (how infants reacted to separation from PAF’s)
   - Asked mothers to describe intensity of protest when infant was left in 7 everyday situations (alone in a room/with other people)
   - Intensity was rated on 4 point scale
2. Levels of Stranger anxiety (how infants reacted to strangers)
   - Measured by assessing infants’ response to interviewer at each visit

Question 3

Results of Schaffer & Emerson’s study?
(5 results)

Answer 3

• 30 infants (half) showed first specific attachment between 6-8 months (usually mother)
• Fear of strangers began 1 month later (all infants)
• 7 months 29% children formed several attachments simultaneously, 10% had 5 attachments
• 10 months 50% had more than 1 attachment, by 18 months figure was 87%
• 39% overall had a PAF to someone other than the main PAF (mother)

Question 4

What was the conclusion of the research?

Answer 4

• As time continues, attachments with other people other than PAF begin to develop

Question 5

Due to these findings what did Schaffer & Emerson develop?

Answer 5

• Stage theory on development of attachment

Question 6

What are the4 stages of the attachment stage theory?
A I S M

Answer 6

1. Asocial (pre-attachment)
2. Indiscriminate attachment stage
3. Specific attachment stage
4. Multiple (attachments)

Question 7

Explain the asocial stage (pre-attachment)?

Answer 7

• 0-5 weeks
• Infant shows similar responses to both objects & people
• Infants show no preference for specific people
• By end of stage show a liking for social stimuli (smiling face)

Question 8

Explain indiscriminate attachment stage?

Answer 8

• 6-7 weeks
• Infant becomes more sociable
• Can differentiate between people & prefer human company
• Distinguish between familiar & unfamiliar people
• Still comforted by anyone
• Infants will not show stranger anxiety

Question 9

Explain specific attachment stage?

Answer 9

• 7-11 months
• Infant starts showing separation & stranger anxiety
• Show a strong attachment to 1 person (usually mother)
• Good subsequent attachments often made from 9 months

Question 10

Explain multiple attachments stage?

Answer 10

• 11 months+
• Infant now makes several attachments to important people in their life e.g. fathers, siblings, grandparents
• Infants display separation anxiety in these secondary attachments

Question 11

AO3 stages of attachment
Research based?
Schaffer & Emerson (1964)

Answer 11

P - A positive of the stage theory is that its developed from Schaffer & Emerson’s (1964) research on attachment development
E - They followed 60 infants for 2yrs+, infants observed every 4 weeks for 1yr & once more at 18 months
E - 50% infants (10 months) had 1+ attachments, by 18 months figure was 87%
L - Implies, over time attachments are secure & increase in numbers (multiple attachment stage)

Question 12

AO3 stages of attachment
Methodological problems?

Answer 12

P - Methodological problems with Schaffer & Emerson weakens the credibility of their stage theory
E - Research lacks generalisability as it was only conducted on infants in Scotland.
E - Other infants across the world may not make attachments in same way
L - Suggests attachment can differ in how it develops during the stages of Schaffer & Emerson’s stage theory

Question 13

AO3 stages of attachment
Practical applications?

Answer 13

P - Practical applications as its one way to measure infant behaviour
E - This helps in early identification of abnormal development of attachments leading to early intervention
E - e.g. ‘Still face’ experiment (Tronick 1975), testing infants ability to emulate PAF ‘still face’
L - Studying these stages of attachment are benefitting children & families because attachment between child/caregiver can be refined for improvement

Question 14

AO3 stages of attachment
Lacks Cultural relativism?

Answer 14

P - Stage theory is culturally specific & limited to describing individualistic concepts of attachment
E - Theory based on research studies from individualistic cultures where the immediate family forms attachments to the kid
E - Whereas collectivistic cultures (Kibbutzim Israel) care for the infant as a community may not entertain the stages
L - Stages are unable to describe attachment universally, so have arguable poor practical application to society & world if useless in other cultures