The Role of the Father

Question 1

Outline Grossman’s study into the role of the father

Answer 1

Grossman (2002)
- longitudinal study, found that:
~ attachment to mothers in childhood is correlated with adult attachment
~ attachment to fathers in childhood is not correlated with adult attachment
~ attentiveness of play w father is correlated with adolescent attachment
= suggests fathers play qualitatively different role still crucial in child’s well-being - play vs emotional support

Question 2

Outline Field’s study into the role of the father

Answer 2

Field (1978)
-recorded 4 month old babies in face to face interactions w/:
- primary caregiver mother
- primary caregiver father
-secondary caregiver father
= found that PCG mother + fathers interactions were identical in terms of interactional synchrony and reciprocity
= suggests key to attachment is responsiveness and PCG ≠ always mother