Schaffer’s stages of attachment.
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) aimed to investigate early attachments.
M.ETHOD
60 babies – 31 male, 29 female. All were from working-class families in Glasgow.
The babies and their mothers were visited at home every month for the first year and again
at 18 months.
The mothers were questioned about the kind of protest their babies showed in 7 everyday
separations e.g. adult leaving the room – measures separation anxiety. They also assessed
stranger anxiety.
FINDINGS
Between 25-32 weeks old, about 50% of babies showed separation anxiety towards one adult
(specific attachment).
Attachment is usually with the caregiver who was the most interactive and sensitive to the
infant signals and facial expressions (reciprocity, social releasers). – Not necessarily to the
person the infant spent the most time with.
By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed
multiple attachments. 29% of children had secondary attachments within a month of forming
the primary attachment.
Stages of attachment
1. Asocial stage (first few weeks)
This isn’t really an ‘asocial stage’ as the baby recognises and forms bonds with its carers. The
baby’s behaviour towards non-human and human objects is the same. Babies show some
preference for familiar adults - can calm them down easier. Babies are happier in the presence
of other humans.
2. Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months)
Babies display more observable social behaviour.
Preference for people over inanimate objects, and recognise and prefer familiar adults.
Accept cuddles + comfort from any adult.
They DO NOT show separation/stranger anxiety.
Attachment is indiscriminate - not different towards any one person.
3. Specific attachment (from 7 months)
o Stranger anxiety
Schaffer and Emerson (1964) aimed to investigate early attachments.
M.ETHOD
60 babies – 31 male, 29 female. All were from working-class families in Glasgow.
The babies and their mothers were visited at home every month for the first year and again
at 18 months.
The mothers were questioned about the kind of protest their babies showed in 7 everyday
separations e.g. adult leaving the room – measures separation anxiety. They also assessed
stranger anxiety.
FINDINGS
Between 25-32 weeks old, about 50% of babies showed separation anxiety towards one adult
(specific attachment).
Attachment is usually with the caregiver who was the most interactive and sensitive to the
infant signals and facial expressions (reciprocity, social releasers). – Not necessarily to the
person the infant spent the most time with.
By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed
multiple attachments. 29% of children had secondary attachments within a month of forming
the primary attachment.
Stages of attachment
1. Asocial stage (first few weeks)
This isn’t really an ‘asocial stage’ as the baby recognises and forms bonds with its carers. The
baby’s behaviour towards non-human and human objects is the same. Babies show some
preference for familiar adults - can calm them down easier. Babies are happier in the presence
of other humans.
2. Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months)
Babies display more observable social behaviour.
Preference for people over inanimate objects, and recognise and prefer familiar adults.
Accept cuddles + comfort from any adult.
They DO NOT show separation/stranger anxiety.
Attachment is indiscriminate - not different towards any one person.
3. Specific attachment (from 7 months)
o Stranger anxiety
