AO3

• Why is research into the role of fathers in attachment considered confusing?

  Different researchers focus on different research questions
• What is the main difference between fathers as secondary attachment figures and fathers as primary attachment figures?

  Secondary figures have a distinct role, primary figures can take on a maternal role
• What does Grossman’s research suggest about the role of fathers as secondary attachment figures?

  Fathers have an important role in children’s development
• What do studies on single or same-sex families suggest about the role of fathers?

  Children develop similarly regardless of father presence
• What does Hrdy’s research suggest about fathers’ ability to detect infant distress?

  Fathers are less able to detect low levels of distress
• What biological explanation is given for fathers’ reduced sensitivity in attachment?

  Lack of oestrogen in men
• What does Geiger’s research suggest about the role of fathers in play interactions?

  Fathers’ play interactions are more exciting
• What does Belsky et al’s research suggest about the relationship between marital intimacy and father-infant attachment?

  Higher marital intimacy leads to secure father-infant attachments
• What are the key findings about the role of fathers in attachment?

  • Fathers can be secondary or primary attachment figures
  • Fathers’ role as secondary figures is important but not essential
  • Fathers are less biologically sensitive than mothers
  • Fathers’ play interactions are more exciting but less nurturing
  • Marital intimacy affects the security of father-infant attachments
• What are the inconsistencies in research findings about the role of fathers?

  • Some studies show fathers are important, others show they are not
  • Children in single or same-sex families develop similarly to those with fathers
  • Fathers are less sensitive but can still form secure attachments
• If a father is in a highly intimate marriage, what type of attachment is he likely to form with his infant?

  Secure attachment
• If a father is less sensitive to his child’s distress, what might this suggest about his biological makeup?

  He has lower levels of oestrogen
• How does the role of fathers as playmates differ from their role as primary caregivers?

  Playmates provide exciting interactions, primary caregivers provide nurturing
• What does the research suggest about the importance of fathers in child development?

  Fathers are important but not essential for normal development
• What does the research suggest about the relationship between marital intimacy and father-infant attachment?

  Higher marital intimacy leads to more secure father-infant attachments
• What does the research suggest about the biological sensitivity of fathers compared to mothers?

  Fathers are less biologically sensitive than mothers
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in single or same-sex families?

  Children develop similarly regardless of father presence
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers as playmates?

  Fathers’ play interactions are more exciting but less nurturing
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in forming secure attachments?

  Fathers can form secure attachments if marital intimacy is high
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in detecting infant distress?

  Fathers are less able to detect low levels of distress
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in providing nurturing care?

  Fathers are less nurturing than mothers
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in providing exciting play interactions?

  Fathers provide more exciting play interactions than mothers
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in forming secure attachments with their children?

  Fathers can form secure attachments if marital intimacy is high
• Why are findings on the role of fathers in attachment inconsistent?

  Different researchers focus on different research questions
• What are the two main research focuses regarding the role of fathers in attachment?

  Fathers as secondary or primary attachment figures
• What does Grossman's research suggest about the role of fathers?

  Fathers as secondary attachment figures are important
• Why might children without fathers not develop differently according to some studies?

  Fathers' role as secondary attachment figures may not be crucial
• What did Hrdy find about fathers' ability to detect infant distress?

  Fathers are less able to detect low levels of infant distress
• What biological explanation supports the idea that fathers are less equipped to form close attachments?

  Lack of oestrogen in men
• What role does research suggest fathers primarily take on?

  Playmate
• What did Geiger find about fathers' play interactions compared to mothers'?

  Fathers' play interactions were more exciting
• How does marital intimacy affect father-infant attachment according to Belsky et al?

  Higher marital intimacy leads to secure father-infant attachments
• What are the key findings about the role of fathers in attachment?

  • Fathers can be secondary or primary attachment figures
  • Fathers' role as playmates is more exciting but less nurturing
  • Fathers are less biologically sensitive to infant distress
  • Marital intimacy affects the security of father-infant attachments
• What are the implications of inconsistent findings on the role of fathers?

  • Difficulty in defining the exact role of fathers
  • Conflicting views on the importance of fathers in child development
  • Need for more comprehensive and unified research approaches
• What hormone is suggested to be lacking in men, affecting their attachment sensitivity?

  Oestrogen
• What does the research suggest about the nurturing aspect of fathers' interactions?

  Fathers' interactions are less nurturing compared to mothers'
• How does the biological sensitivity of fathers compare to mothers according to research?

  Fathers are less biologically sensitive than mothers
• If a father is in a highly intimate marriage, what type of attachment is he likely to form with his infant?

  Secure attachment
• What did Belsky et al find about the relationship between marital intimacy and father-infant attachment?

  Higher marital intimacy leads to secure father-infant attachments
• What does the research suggest about the role of fathers in single or same-sex families?

  Children develop similarly to those in two-parent heterosexual families