Schaffer + Emerson stages of attachment

• Aim of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment

  Investigate early attachment formation using 60 working class glasgliw babies. Visit babies monthly
• procedure of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Mother separates from baby and introduce stranger daily
• Findings of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  7 months age: 50% has both anxieties, 10 months most babies had specific attachment but some had multiple
• Conclusion of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Being responsive to baby is important in attachment formation
• stages of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment

  A-social stage= 2 months, humans objects the same

  indiscriminate= 2-7 month, social and easily comforted

  specific = 7-12, stranger and separation anxiety

  multiple= 12+ multiple attachments such as siblings
• weakness of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Lacks population and temporal validity
• strength of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  ecological validaty= natural behaviour observed by mother, relate to world
• weakness of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Self report bias from mothers
• Weakness of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Difficult to observe A social stage, baby is immobile and not talking. Not valid and less understood
• weakness of Schaffer + Emersons study into stages of attachment


  Confusion over stages, Van izjendorn suggest babies form multiple attachments straight away, collectivist cultures have multiple caregivers. Low generalisability