The role of the father Flashcards
Attachment to fathers
Schaffer and Emerson (1964)
Fathers are much less likely to become babies’ first attachment figure compared to mothers
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) Maj. of babies attached to mum at around 7 mo
Only 3% father was sole object of attachment
27% father was joint first object
Distinctive role for fathers
Grossmann et al. (2002)
Grossmann et al. (2002) longitudinal study (baby-teen)
Quality of mothers but NOT fathers attachment with baby was related to teen attachments
Attachments to fathers less important than mothers
Quality of fathers play WAS related to quality of adolescent attachments
Fathers have a different, playing role
Fathers as primary attachment figures
Field (1978)
When fathers take the PAF role they are able to adopt the emotional role associated with mothers
Field (1978) filmed 4 mo babies in face2face interactions with primary caregiver mum, secondary caregiver dad, primary caregiver dad
Primary caregivers performed interactional synchrony tasks more than secondary
Fathers can be emotive but only when given role
EVAL-: Confusion over research questions
Lack of clarity over question asked
Depends on whether looking for secondary or primary caregiver roles
EVAL-: Conflicting evidence
Longitudinal studies have suggested that fathers as a 2ndary attach. fig. have an important and distinctive role in development including play+stimulation
But children from lesbian or single mother families do not develop differently (McCallum and Golombok)
Questions to the distinctive role
Conflicting evidence COUNTERPOINT
others may simply adapt to the role in other families
EVAL+: Real-world application
Can be used to offer advice to parents over who will take the primary caregiver role
e.g. father can be PCG
Non-heterosexual, two parent families can be assured their child will be okay
EVAL-: BIAS
Preconceptions can be created and these stereotypes may cause unintentional observer bias where they do not see the objective reality
