SCHAFFER’S STAGES

• Asocial Stage:

  • Baby’s behaviour towards humans and inanimate objects is similar 
  • Some preference towards familiar people- more easily comforted by them
  • Babies also happier in presence of other people
  • No SEPARATION / STRANGER anxiety
• Indiscriminate Attachment:

  • 2-7 Months
  • “Indiscriminate”- attachment is the same towards all
  • No SEPARATION / STRANGER anxiety
  • Preference for humans rather than inanimate objects 
  • Recognise and prefer familiar people 
• Specific Attachment:

  • 7 months +
  • Babies have formed strong (specific) attachment to a primary caregiver
  • Usually the person who offers the most interaction / responds to baby’s signals with most skill (65% of cases- mother)
  • Show STRANGER / SEPARATION anxiety
• Multiple Attachment:

  • By Age 1
  • Show SEPARATION AND STRANGER ANXIETY
  • Babies attach to others (secondary attachments)
  • Schaffer & Emerson’s study- 29% of children form secondary attachment within 1 month of forming primary attachment