schaffer & emerson

• research by them suggests babies are most likely to form attachments to caregivers who respond effectively to their signals

  it isn't necessarily the person they spend most time with. this is referred to as sensitive responsiveness

  the most important factor in forming attachments, therefore, isn't the adult who feeds & changes the baby but the adult who plays & communicates with them
• deprivation - being deprived of a caregiver to whom an attachment already exists
• privation - being deprived of the opportunity to form an attachment
• separation anxiety - the fear & apprehension that infants experience when separated from their primary caregiver
• schaffer & emerson's sequence of attachment:

  up to 3 months; most babies respond to any carer

  3-7 months; can distinguish difference between main carer & others. they accept care from others

  7-9 months; infant looks to particular people for security, comfort, & protection. they show fear of strangers & unhappiness when separated from their main caregiver. some more likely to display fear of strangers/stranger anxiety than others

  9 months +; baby starts to become more independent & forms several attachments, referred to as multiple attachments
• attachment:

  parenting is 1 of the most important factors affecting children's development. the way in which parents feel about them & how they form a relationship with them is crucial

  babies need strong attachments in order to be emotionally & socially well developed. kids with good attachments are likely to have more confidence, higher self esteem, &, therefore, less likely to show clinginess & demanding behaviour

  however, there are several factors that can affect the attachment process & impact on a child's overall development