Stages of attachment

• Asocial stage

  • 0-2 months, produce a similar response to all objects, aminate or inanimate.
  • Infants show greater preference for social stimuli.
• Pre-social stage

  • 2 months, prefer human company, relatively easily comforted by anyone.
• Specific attachment

  -Distinctly different sort of protest when certain person puts them down.

  -Show special joy when reunited with a person of primary attachment.
• Multiple attachments:

  -10+ months occurs after formation of discriminate attachment. Infants form multiple attachments.

  -Infants form attachments with multiple people not just the mother.
• Shaffer et al

  -Aim: investigate the formation of infant attachment - how attachments began, the intensity and the person whom the child was attached to.

  -Method: Shaffer and Emmerson used a longitudinal design studied 60 infants. Mothers were asked questions about the behaviour their babies showed during separation episodes. Visited mother every month for a year and again after 18 months. Behaviours show development of infant attachment.
• Shaffer et al:

  -Results: 25-32 weeks of age 50% of infants displayed separation anxiety. 40 weeks 80% formed specific attachment.

  -Conclusions: attachment changes with age. Secure attachments formed intensely who interacted in a responsive manner.