Shaffer and Emerson: Stages of Attachment

define attachment

a strong emotional bond that develops overtime between infant and care

who proposed the stages of attachment?

shaffer and emerson (1964)

what are the 4 stages of attachment in order?

asocial, indiscriminate, specific, multiple

what age does asocial attachment occur at?

0-2 months

what age does indiscriminate attachment occur at?

2-7 months

what age does specific attachment occur at?

around 7 months

what age does multiple attachment occur at?

7 months onwards

give 3 features of asocial attachment.

• behaviour towards humans and inanimate objects is similar

• happier in presence of humans than alone

• prefers faces to non-faces

give 3 features of indiscriminate attachment

• preference for helping with humans than inanimate objects

• smile more at familiar than unfamiliar faces

• dont usually show separation anxiety yet

give 3 features of specific attachment

• attachment w primary caregiver former → 65% of time is the mother

• signs of separation anxiety

• use familiar adults as secure base

describe multiple attachment

forms secondary attachment w familiar adults they spend time w → e.g. grandparents

describe the procedure for shaffer and emerson’s study for attachment

• observational study on 16 middle class families in overprices flats in glasgow

• fathers and babies studied for first 18 months (once a month)

• observations and interviews used

• measured separation anxiety and stranger anxiety through everyday situations e.g. leaving pram outside shop

what were the results of shaffer and emerson’s study on attachment?

• most infants showed separation anxiety at 6-8 months - stranger anxiety at about 1 yo

• 18 months → 78% infants had multiple attachments

• 39% infants had primary attachment that wasn’t person who fed or changed them

• 65% mum as first attachment, 3% dad as first attachment

what conclusion did shaffer and emerson draw from their attachment study?

there is a pattern of attachment formation common to all infants - process is innately constructed

is shaffer and emerson’s study generalisable?

no:

• working class sample - not representative of all social groups

• conducted in 1960s - gender roles more traditional

• more stay at home fathers now

• not representative of collectivist cultures - emphasis on shared parenting

what are 2 strengths of shaffer and emerson’s study?

• longitudinal→ allowed them to see when an attachment developed and the changes in behaviour surrounding

• high mundane realism → conducted in the infants natural environment

give 3 weaknesses/problems with shaffer and emerson’s study.

• less sensitive/attentive mothers to infants may be less likely to report them

• mothers may forget to fill in diaries due to tiredness; retrospective completion of diaries may mean inaccuracies

• mothers may exhibit social desirability to avoid judgement