Stages of Attachment

• The asocial stage of attachment (birth- 2 months) is when the infant shows similar responses to objects and people- displaying a preference for faces and eyes
• The indiscriminate attachment stage of attachment (2 -6 months) is when the infant shows a preference for human company over non-human company; can distinguish between different people; are comforted indiscriminately and do not show stranger anxiety
• The discriminate attachment stage of attachment (7 - 12 months) is when the infant shows a preference for one caregiver, displaying separation and stranger anxiety; infant looks to a particular person for security and protection; infant shows joy upon reunion and comforted by primary caregiver
• The multiple attachments stage of attachment (1+ years) is when attachment behaviours are displayed towards several different people (secondary attachments); typically form in the first month after primary attachment; number of multiple attachments depends on social circle the infant is exposed to
• Schaffer & Emerson (1964):

  Aim: to examine the formation of early attachment

  Method: 60 babies from working class families in Glasgow (5-23 weeks old); researchers visited babies in their homes every month for the first 12 months and once again at 18 months. Researchers interviewed the mothers and observed the children in relation to separation and stranger anxiety in a range of everyday activities.
• Schaffer & Emerson (1964):

  Results: some support for different stages of developing an attachment; at 25-32 weeks, 50% of children showed separation anxiety towards their mothers (discriminate attachment); by 40 weeks, 80% of children had specific (discriminate) attachment, 30% had started forming multiple attachments

  Conclusion: Results provide some support for Schaffer's stages of attachment and suggest attachment develops through a series of stages across the first year of life
• Discriminate attachment:

  25-32 weeks: 50%; 40weeks: 80%

  Multiple attachment:

  40 weeks: 30%
• S- High external validity:

  Schaffer & Emerson conducted observation in children's homes; the children and parent were more likely to act natural. Suggests behaviours observed such as separation anxiety forming an attachment in the first year of age happened in a real-life environment. Results likely to apply to other children from similar demographic in their own homes, increases ecological validity.
• W- Lacks population validity:

  Sample consisted of only working class mother and babies from Glasgow; may form different attachments with their infants when compared with wealthier families in other countries. Results are ungeneralisable since mothers and babies from other countries and backgrounds may have behaviour that cannot be compared to the results. Schaffer's study is culturally biased and results cannot be extrapolated to other cultures
• W- Social desirability bias:

  Schaffer & Emerson interviewed mothers about their children and some may have not reported accurate details about their children, to appear like 'better' mothers with secure attachments. Therefore, it is difficult to claim attachment in all children is caused by these stages and that all children go through the same stages