schaffer's study + theory

Question 1

what was Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

Answer 1

• Studied 60 Glaswegian (glasgow) babies from working-class families
• Babies visited at their home every month for the first year, and then at 18 months
• Mothers were questioned about separation anxiety (mother leaving room) and stranger anxiety (presence of unknown adults)
• Ecological validity as in natural environment

Question 2

what were Schaffer + Emmerson’s findings

Answer 2

• Between 6-8 months of age 50% of babies were showing separation anxiety with PAF (Primary attachment figure)
• Reciprocity (responding to and interacting with the baby) was key in who the primary attachment figure was - i.e. Whoever did it most (not whoever spent most time with the baby) was the primary attachment figure
• By 10 months 80% had a PAF and 30% had secondary attachment figures

Question 3

what are the +ve AO3 points for Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

Answer 3

• Good ecological validity
• Longitudinal Design

Question 4

expand on the +ve AO3 point: good ecological validity

Answer 4

• babies/parents were being observed/questioned in their own homes
• mothers reported back to researchers (i.e. They observed their babies constantly during ordinary day to day life- so there were no observer effects)

Question 5

expand on the +ve AO3 point: longitudinal design

Answer 5

• the study took place over many months with the same babies consistently being observed and assessed means the study has good internal validity

Question 6

what are the -ve AO3 points for Schaffer + Emmerson’s study

Answer 6

• lacks population validity
• lacks temporal validity

Question 7

expand on the -ve AO3 point: lacks population validity

Answer 7

• 60 babies from the same background in the same city (and over 50 years ago - Temporal validity)
• Sample lacks population validity and results can therefore only be generalised with caution

Question 8

expand on the -ve AO3 point: lacks temporal validity

Answer 8

• 60 babies from the same background in the same city and over 50 years ago
• no attachment to dad even at 10 months, not the case now → paternal leave + shared paternal leave

Question 9

what were Schaffer’s stages of attachment

Answer 9

• Stage 1. Asocial stage (first four weeks)
• Stage 2. Indiscriminate Attachment
• Stage 3. Specific (or Discriminate) Attachment
• Stage 4. Multiple Attachments

Question 10

what is Stage 1. Asocial stage (first four weeks)

Answer 10

• The baby is only capable of limited interaction (hence “asocial”) but the baby does recognise the primary attachment figure and starts to form bonds with her(him).
• Not too much difference between the way babies interact with objects and humans
• Babies are happier in the presence of other humans

Question 11

what is Stage 2. Indiscriminate Attachment

Answer 11

• From 2-7 months babies show a preference for humans over objects
• Babies usually accept cuddles and comfort from any adult (hence “indiscriminate”)
• No separation anxiety or stranger anxiety
• They are happier/smile more at familiar adults

Question 12

what is Stage 3. Specific (or Discriminate) Attachment

Answer 12

• From around 7 months the majority of babies start to display anxiety towards strangers and anxiety when separated from the primary attachment figure (Mum in 65% of cases)
• It is at this point that the relationship with the primary attachment figure is fully/intensely established
• This is not necessarily the person that spends the most time with the baby but the one who responds to/interacts with him/her the most

Question 13

what is Stage 4. Multiple Attachments

Answer 13

• After the relationship with the primary attachment figure is fully established, a baby starts to form multiple (secondary) attachments with other adults who he/she sees regularly.
• In Schaffer and Emmerson’s study this 30% had secondary attachments by 10 months.

Question 14

what are the -ve AO3 points with Schaffer’s stages of attachment

Answer 14

• Problems with observation
• Conflicting evidence on multiple attachments
• measuring multiple attachments

Question 15

expand on the -ve AO3 point: problems with observation

Answer 15

• It is very difficult for psychologists to make any accurate judgements when they observe babies during the “asocial” stage.
• This is because new babies are immobile and can barely control their movements so there may be a lot going on psychologically but their physical action may not reflect this

Question 16

expand on the -ve AO3 point: Conflicting evidence on multiple attachments

Answer 16

• Although many psychologists (Bowlby, Schaffer and Emmerson) agree that multiple attachments don’t occur until the primary attachment figure is established, other psychologists disagree.
• In many cultures (collectivist) multiple attachments from birth are the norm.
• So psychologists such as Van Ijzendoorn & Kroonenberg believe all babies are capable of these from the outset.

Question 17

expand on the -ve AO3 point: measuring multiple attachments

Answer 17

• The main measure of attachment is whether the baby cries when the adult leaves the room.
• If they do, then a judgement is made that this adult is an attachment figure.
• This could be incorrect - sometimes babies cry because an adult that plays with them/brings fun leaves and play stops - this adult is not an attachment figures.
• This is a weakness of Schaffer and Emmerson’s research and theory. It does not allow us to distinguish between attachment figures and mere playmates!