Schaffers stages of attachment

• Stranger Anxiety


  Fear of unfamiliar individuals.
• Separation Anxiety


  Distress when separated from primary caregiver.
• SCHAFFER AND EMERSON STUDY

  60 babies most from working class families were visited at home every month for a year and 18months

  seperation anxiety was measured by asking mothers about Childs behaviour during everyday separations (eg; Adult leaving the room)

  stranger anxiety was measured by asking mums questions about their Childs anxiety response to unfamiliar adults

  50% of babies showed seperation anxiety towards particular adult (25-32weeks of age)

  specific primary attachment- usually with mother

  attachment- likely towards caregiver who was most sensitive to infants signals/facial expressions (reciprocity), this wasn't who the infant spent the most time with

  strengths- has high external validity, babies behaviour is unlikely to be changed by the precedes of observers and participants behaved naturally when being observed

  
  

  limitations- problem with how multiple attachment is assessed, doesn't show behaviour towards secondary figures (playmates)

  - timing of multiple attachments is conflicting, these cultures are called collectivists as families work together in everything
• asocial stage (first few weeks)


  • baby behaviour towards objects/humans are similar
  • some preference for familiar adults
  • babies are happier in the presence of other humans
• indiscriminate attachment (2-7months)-


  • more observant behaviour
  • preference for people than objects
  • recognise familiar adults
  • don't show stranger separation anxiety
• specific attachment (7months)


  • stranger/seperation anxiety when separate from one particular adult
  • normally has special attachment to primary figure
• multiple attachments (one year)

  • secondary attachments with other adults form shortly after
  • by 1yr old majority of infants have multiple secondary attachments