schaffer's stages of attachment
key study
schaffer and emerson (1964)
procedure
investigated the formation of early attachments with a focus on
1. what age they were formed
2. emotional intensity
3. who they were directed to
60 babies (31 males, 29 females)
sample of working class glaswegian families
mothers were visited monthly for 18 months (longitudinal study)
mothers provided answers to interview questions - they were asked questions on
every day separation situations
findings
schaffer's stages of attachment 1
, between 25-32 weeks (around 6 months), 50% of infants showed separation
anxiety towards a caregiver
this is called specific attachments
tended to be towards the most interactive caregiver (most often mother)
towards the adult who was the msot sensitive to signals of reciprocal
communication (facial expressions)
it wasn't always the person with which the baby spent the most time (social
sensitivity/responsiveness who was the biggest predictor)
at 40 weeks (9 months old) 80% of babies had a specific attachment and 30%
had formed multiple attachments
7 months = specific attachment,
9-12 months = multiple attachments
stages of attachment
stage 1 - asocial stage (pre-attachment)
forms within the first few weeks of birth
baby's behaviours to humans and objects are indiscriminate
maybe some preference to known adults who provide comfort
babies happy in the presence of other human beings
stage 2 - indiscriminate attachment
forms within 2-7 months old
more observable social behaviours
the baby will be happy with anyone who holds them
schaffer's stages of attachment 2
key study
schaffer and emerson (1964)
procedure
investigated the formation of early attachments with a focus on
1. what age they were formed
2. emotional intensity
3. who they were directed to
60 babies (31 males, 29 females)
sample of working class glaswegian families
mothers were visited monthly for 18 months (longitudinal study)
mothers provided answers to interview questions - they were asked questions on
every day separation situations
findings
schaffer's stages of attachment 1
, between 25-32 weeks (around 6 months), 50% of infants showed separation
anxiety towards a caregiver
this is called specific attachments
tended to be towards the most interactive caregiver (most often mother)
towards the adult who was the msot sensitive to signals of reciprocal
communication (facial expressions)
it wasn't always the person with which the baby spent the most time (social
sensitivity/responsiveness who was the biggest predictor)
at 40 weeks (9 months old) 80% of babies had a specific attachment and 30%
had formed multiple attachments
7 months = specific attachment,
9-12 months = multiple attachments
stages of attachment
stage 1 - asocial stage (pre-attachment)
forms within the first few weeks of birth
baby's behaviours to humans and objects are indiscriminate
maybe some preference to known adults who provide comfort
babies happy in the presence of other human beings
stage 2 - indiscriminate attachment
forms within 2-7 months old
more observable social behaviours
the baby will be happy with anyone who holds them
schaffer's stages of attachment 2
