Role of the Father - Field

Field (1978) method

Filmed 4 month old babies in face-to-face with:

-primary caregiver mothers

-primary caregiver fathers

-secondary caregiver fathers

How old were the babies in Field (1978)?

4 months old

Who did Field (1978) film the 4 month old babie's interactions with?

-primary caregiver mothers

-primary caregiver fathers

-secondary caregiver fathers

Field (1978) findings

Primary caregiver Fathers spent more time smiling, imitating and holding infants than the secondary caregiver fathers

Shows fathers can be nurturing since these behaviours are important for building attachment

Who showed more behaviours that helped build attachment?

Primary caregiver mothers and fathers

Field (1978) conclusion

Key to attachment is level of responsiveness not gender