the role of the father Flashcards
Who is defined as a father in attachment research?
Anyone who takes on the role of the main male caregiver
This does not have to be the biological father.
What has most attachment research focused on?
Mother and baby attachment
The role of the father has often been neglected.
What amount of babies first became attached to their mother at around 7 months according to Schaffer and Emerson?
Majority
What percentage of babies formed an attachment with their father by the age of 18 months?
75%
This was indicated by babies protesting when their father walked away.
What did Klaus Grossmann et al’s longitudinal study reveal?
The relationship between both parents’ behavior and quality of baby’s later attachments
This study tracked attachments until the teens.
What was found regarding the quality of attachment to fathers in relation to adolescent attachments?
It was not related
This implies attachment to fathers is less important than attachment to mothers.
What aspect of fathers’ interactions was found to relate to the quality of adolescent attachments?
Quality of fathers’ play with babies
Suggests fathers have a role more focused on play and stimulation.
What distinction is made regarding attachment figures?
Primary and secondary attachment figures
Primary attachment has special emotional significance.
What did Tiffany Field’s study reveal about primary caregiver fathers?
They spent more time smiling, imitating, and holding babies than secondary caregiver fathers
Indicates they can adopt emotional roles typically associated with mothers.
What is required for a close emotional attachment according to the attachment formation process?
Responsiveness
This is part of reciprocity and interactional synchrony.
True or False: Fathers are less likely to become babies’ first attachment figure compared to mothers.
True
Evidence indicates only 3% of cases had fathers as the first sole object of attachment.
Fill in the blank: The majority of babies first became attached to their mother at around _______.
7 months
This finding is based on research by Schaffer and Emerson.
What is a limitation of research into the role of fathers?
Lack of clarity over the research question being asked
The complexity of the question ‘What is the role of the father?’ varies depending on whether fathers are considered as secondary or primary attachment figures.
How do researchers differ in their understanding of fathers’ roles?
Some see fathers as secondary attachment figures, while others view them as primary attachment figures
This distinction leads to different perspectives on whether fathers behave differently from mothers.
What did Grossemann’s longitudinal study suggest about fathers as secondary attachment figures?
They have an important and distinct role involving play and stimulation
Studies like those by Grossmann et al. highlight the significance of fathers in child development.
What do studies by McCallum and Golombok (2004) indicate about children in single-mother and lesbian-parent families?
These children do not develop differently from those in two-parent heterosexual families
This challenges the notion of a distinctive role for fathers.
What is a potential counterpoint to the conflicting evidence regarding fathers’ roles?
Families can adapt to not having a father, indicating that the distinctive role of fathers may be clear when they are present
This suggests that the roles of parents can be flexible and adaptive based on family structure.
What is one strength of research into the role of the father?
It can provide advice to parents regarding caregiver roles
Research can help alleviate parental anxiety about roles and responsibilities in raising children.
What pressures might mothers face regarding their roles?
Pressure to stay at home due to stereotypical views of parenting roles
These stereotypes can influence decisions about who should take on caregiving responsibilities.
What pressures might fathers face regarding their roles?
Pressure to focus on work rather than parenting
Economic factors can influence the perceived roles of fathers and their involvement in parenting.
Fill in the blank: Research into the role of the father can reassure parents that fathers are quite capable of becoming _______.
primary attachment figures
Fill in the blank: Research can inform lesbian-parent and single-mother families that not having a father around does not affect a child’s _______.
development
what percentage of babies formed primary attachment to father
3%
in what percentage of cases was the father and mother joint primary attachment?
27%
