schaffer and emerson

• What was the aim of Schaffer and Emerson's study?

  To investigate the development of infant-caregiver attachment
• How many babies were included in Schaffer and Emerson's sample?

  60 babies
• Where were the babies from in Schaffer and Emerson's study?

  Working class families in Glasgow
• What method did Schaffer and Emerson use to collect data?

  They visited babies and mothers' homes every 4 weeks for a year
• What was recorded during the visits in Schaffer and Emerson's study?

  Infants' reactions when separated from their mothers
• What is a strength of Schaffer and Emerson's research method?

  Research was conducted in babies' homes
• Why is conducting research in babies' homes considered a strength?

  Infants are likely to behave as they would in everyday life
• What type of design did Schaffer and Emerson use in their study?

  Longitudinal design
• What is a weakness of Schaffer and Emerson's study regarding the sample?

  All babies were from the same part of Glasgow and same social class
• How could childrearing practices affect the study's findings?

  Childrearing practices could differ in different places and social groups
• What is separation anxiety?

  Distress shown by infants when their caregiver isn't present
• At what age does separation anxiety typically occur?

  6 to 8 months
• What does stronger anxiety in infants indicate?


  Fear shown when left with an unfamiliar person
• When does stronger anxiety typically form in infants?

  It forms a little later than separation anxiety
• What is the asocial stage of attachment?


  Babies do not show a particular preference for caregivers
• At what age does the asocial stage occur?

  0 to 8 weeks
• What happens during the indiscriminate stage of attachment?


  Babies recognize and prefer familiar adults
• What is the age range for the indiscriminate stage?

  2 to 6 months
• At what age does specific attachment typically develop?

  6 to 8 months
• What occurs during the multiple attachments stage?

  Infants begin creating attachments to more people
• At what age do multiple attachments typically begin?

  8 months
• schaffer and emerson also found that children who had secure attachments tended to have better social skills than those without
• What is separation anxiety in infants?

  It is distress shown by infants when the caregiver is not present.
• At what age is separation anxiety first observable in infants?

  Around 6 months.
• Why is separation anxiety significant in child development?

  It is one of the key signs of a specific attachment.
• What is stranger anxiety in infants?

  It is the fear that an infant shows when being left with an unknown adult.
• How does an unknown adult affect a distressed infant?

  An unknown adult is unable to soothe a distressed infant.
• When does stranger anxiety typically form in infants?

  It typically forms around 6-8 months or often later than separation anxiety.
• How do separation anxiety and stranger anxiety relate to each other in infant development?

  Stranger anxiety often develops after separation anxiety, typically around 6-8 months.
• What is a characteristic of infants during the asocial stage according to Schaffer and Emerson?

  They are immobile and have poor coordination.
• Why is it difficult to make judgments about infants during the asocial stage?


  Because they have little to observe and are immobile.
• What might Schaffer and Emerson have underestimated regarding infants?


  Their emotional capabilities.
• How do cultural differences affect infant attachment according to the study?

  Some cultures do not develop one specific attachment.
• What assumption is considered wrong regarding infant attachment in different cultures?

  That one attachment is universal.
• How many attachments did Schaffer and Emerson observe in their study?

  Two attachments.
• What types of anxiety did Schaffer and Emerson include in their observations?

  Separation and stranger anxiety.
• What are the key points of Schaffer and Emerson's findings on infant attachment?

  • Infants are immobile and have poor coordination during the asocial stage.
  • They may have underestimated infants' emotions.
  • Cultural differences affect attachment development.
  • They observed two types of attachment: separation and stranger anxiety.