Schaffer

Question 1

Schaffer’s stages of attachment

Answer 1

Schaffer’s description of how attachment develops based on Schaffer and Emerson’s research

Question 2

caregiver

Answer 2

Before the infant has attached to an adult that looks after them, the adult is called a caregiver

Question 3

attachment figure

Answer 3

When the infant attaches to the adult that looks after them, they are then called an attachment figure

Question 4

primary attachment figure

Answer 4

the first person that an infant attaches to- they form a specific attachment

Question 5

secondary attachment figure

Answer 5

if the adult is not the first person that the infant attached to- the attachment between them are called multiple attachments

Question 6

list Schaffer’s stages of attachment

Answer 6

1. asocial stage
2. indiscriminate attachment
3. specific attachment
4. multiple attachments

Question 7

stage 1- asocial stage

Answer 7

• first few weeks
• baby recognises and starts to form bond with its carers
• baby’s behaviour towards non-human objects and humans is quite similar
• babies show some preference towards familiar adults, in that those adults find it easier to calm them
• babies are happier in the presence of other humans
• reciprocity and interactional synchrony establish infant’s relationship with others

Question 8

stage 2- indiscriminate attachment

Answer 8

• 2-7 months
• babies display more sociable behaviour
• show preference for people rather than inanimate objects
• recognise and prefer familiar adults- distinguishing between familiar/unfamiliar people
• accept cuddles and comfort from any adult
• dont show stranger or separation anxiety

Question 9

stage 3- specific attachment

Answer 9

• around 7 months
• start to display stranger and separation anxiety (from mother in 65% of cases)
• show joy at reunion with that adult and are most comforted by them
• baby has formed specific attachment to primary attachment figure
• this person is not necessarily who spends the most time with the baby but the one who offers the most interaction and responds to the baby’s signals with the most skill

Question 10

stage 4- multiple attachments

Answer 10

• shortly after stage 3
• extend attachment behaviour to other adults with whom they regularly spend time
• called secondary attachments
• commonly fathers, grandparents, nannies
• in Schaffer and Emerson’s study, 29% of children had secondary attachments within a month of forming a primary (specific) attachment
• by age 1, most infants had developed multiple attachments

Question 11

aim of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 11

to investigate the formation of early attachment (in particular the age at which they developed) their emotional intensity and to whom they were directed

Question 12

procedure of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 12

• longitudinal study with sample of 60 babies (31 male 29 female) from Glasgow from working class families
• babies and mothers studied every month for 1st year and again at 28 months
• used observations and interviews with the mothers
• asked questions about kind of protest their babies showed in 7 everyday situations
• assessed separation anxiety/protest through infant being left alone in a room/ in pram outside shops/ in cot at night
• assessed stranger anxiety by researcher starting home visits by approaching infant to see any distress

Question 13

findings of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 13

• between 6-7 months, 50% of babies showed separation anxiety towards particular adult (usually mother)
• showed joy at reunion and most comforted by that person (specific attachment to primary attachment figure)
• began displaying stranger anxiety
• attachment tended to be towards the adult who was most interactive and sensitive to infant’s signals and facial expression (reciprocity) not necessarily who they spent the most time with
• in 65% of children, primary attachment was to mother and 3% fathers
• by 9 months, 80% of babies formed specific attachment to caregiver and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments
• in 75% of infants studied, attachment to father formed by 18 months determined by their protest when the father walked away

Question 14

conclusions of Schaffer and Emerson’s study

Answer 14

• suggests there is a pattern of attachment common to all infants which is biologically controlled
• attachments are more easily made with those who are sensitive e.g. recognising and responding appropriately to infant’s needs rather than spending the most time with the child
• primary attachments are more likely to be with mother than father
• fathers are more likely to be secondary attachment figures

Question 15

evaluation points for stages of attachment

Answer 15

• undermining evidence for asocial stage
• undermining evidence from cultural reliability
• supporting evidence from Schaffer and Emerson for stages 3 and 4
• weakness of Schaffer and Emerson from sample being biased
• strength of Schaffer and Emerson from longitudinal study
• strength of Schaffer and Emerson from behaviour being natural

Question 16

undermining evidence for stages of attachment from asocial stage

Answer 16

• labelled ‘asocial’but important interactions still occur during it
• Very young infants have poor coordination and limited mobility, resulting in little observable behaviour.
• makes it difficult to judge attachment based on observations alone.
• Lack of observable behaviour does not mean infants are not socially aware in terms of feelings and cognitions.
• However, the research evidence is limited and less reliable at this stage.
• This weakens the support and validity of the stages of attachment theory.

Question 17

undermining evidence for stages of attachment from cultural reliability

Answer 17

• Collectivist cultures prioritise group needs over individual needs, unlike individualist cultures.
• In these cultures, multiple attachments are more common.
• Research shows stronger mother–infant attachment in family-based sleeping arrangements than in communal environments.
• This evidence challenges the stages of attachment theory.
• The theory appears culture-bound, mainly reflecting individualist cultures.
• Therefore, it lacks external validity and may not explain attachment development across all cultures.

Question 18

weakness of Schaffer and Emerson for stages of attachment from sample being biased

Answer 18

• The study used a biased sample, with all families from the same district, social class, and city.
• The research was conducted over 50 years ago, limiting its relevance today.
• Child-rearing practices vary across cultures and historical periods.
• Today, more women return to work and childcare is often outside the home.
• Fathers are more likely to be primary caregivers than in the past.
• As a result, the findings lack generalisability to other social and historical contexts.
• This weakens support for the stages of attachment theory in modern society.

Question 19

strength of Schaffer and Emerson for stages of attachment from longitudinal study

Answer 19

• The study used a longitudinal design, following the same children over time.
• Children were observed regularly, allowing changes in attachment to be tracked.
• This reduces the impact of participant variables and individual differences.
• As a result, the study has higher internal validity than a cross-sectional design.
• Therefore, conclusions about how and when attachments develop are valid.
• This provides strong support for the stages of attachment theory.

Question 20

strength of Schaffer and Emerson for stages of attachment from behaviour being natural

Answer 20

• Babies’ behaviour was unlikely to be influenced by observers.
• Observations took place in the family’s own home, increasing natural behaviour.
• Much of the data was recorded by parents during everyday activities.
• This reduces observer effects and demand characteristics.
• As a result, behaviour observed was high in ecological validity.
• The study therefore has good external validity.
• Findings can be generalised beyond the study, providing strong support for the stages of attachment theory.