The Role Of The Father

Question 1

About attachment research and the role of the father

Answer 1

• Traditionally research considered PA between mother and infant rather than the father
• Bowlby argued PA with the mother was qualitatively diff and more important than other secondary attachment

Question 2

Attachment to fathers - Schaffer and Emerson

Answer 2

Most children quickly form attachment with other family members

75% formed one with father by 18 months (determined by protest when they left)

Question 3

Distinctive rope for fathers -Grossmann’s longitudinal study (2002)

Answer 3

• followed babies attachment into adolescents
  Found mens quality of infant attachment didn’t predict adolescent but play quality did

SUGGESTS fathers have a diff. but important role focused on play and stimulation not nurturing

Question 4

Fathers as primary attachment figures - Field at al (1978)

Answer 4

Filmed 4 month old babies w/ PC mothers and fathers

• when fathers take on caregiver role they adopt behaviour typical of mothers smiling imitating (interactional synchrony)

SUGGESTS fathers can be untiring attachment figures when they are PC

Question 5

Gender roles impact on fathers

Answer 5

Fathers aren’t primary attachment due to more societal pressure on women to be nurturing

While men as primary caters is still seen as abnormal

Question 6

Counter to Gender Roles - Biological Differences

Answer 6

Levels of hormones like oestrogen may predispose women to nurturing role

Question 7

Conflicting evidence against Grossmann’s traditional role of fathers - McCallum & Golombok

Answer 7

Children in single or same sex parent families develop no differently than those in a typical nuclear family

SUGGESTS fathers role as secondary figure isn’t important

Question 8

Counter to “conflicting” evidence

Answer 8

Could be that fathers typically take on a distinctive role in two parent heterosexual families but single mother and lesbian parent families adapt to role played by father

MEANS when fathers pressed has a role but families can adapt without one

Question 9

Real World Application

Answer 9

Research into the role of the father can be used to offer reassuring advice to parents

• Heterosexual parents informed fathers are capable of being PCG and lesbian and single mother families informed being fatherless doesn’t affect child development

MEANS can help reduce parental anxiety

Question 10

Bias in research

Answer 10

Preconceptions on how fathers behave/ stereotypes such as them being stricter may cause observer bias

=> see what they expect to see rather than recording objective reality