Role of the Father

• What type of study did Grossman conduct in 2002?

  Longitudinal study
• What was the focus of Grossman's 2002 study?

  Fathers' and mothers' contributions to attachment
• How did Grossman find the quality of children's attachment with mothers related to adolescence?

  It was related to the child's attachment in adolescence
• What influence did Grossman find regarding fathers' play with infants?

  It influenced adolescent attachments
• What year did Field conduct his research?

  1978
• What did Field compare in his research?

  Behaviors of primary and secondary caretaker fathers
• What was observed about fathers' interactions with infants at 4 months?

  Fathers engaged more in game playing
• How did primary caretaker fathers' behaviors compare to secondary caretaker fathers' behaviors?

  They engaged in more smiling and vocalizations
• What did Schaffer & Emerson find about fathers as primary attachment figures?

  Only 3% of families had fathers as primary figures
• What percentage of infants formed an attachment to their father by 18 months?

  75%
• What sign indicated that infants had formed an attachment to their father?

  Infants protested when their father walked away
• What is a weakness of research into attachment figures regarding fathers?

  • Inconsistent findings on fathers' roles
  • Different researchers focus on different questions
  • Confusion over primary vs. secondary attachment roles
• What question remains unanswered regarding the role of fathers?

  Why aren't children without fathers different?
• What did MacCallum and Golombok (2004) find about children in single or same-sex parent families?

  They do not develop differently from others
• How can the role of fathers as secondary attachment figures be explained?

  • Through biological processes
  • Influenced by traditional gender roles
  • Women are often seen as more nurturing
• Why is research into attachment considered socially sensitive?

  It suggests disadvantages from certain practices
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the research findings on fathers' roles in attachment?

  Strengths:

  • Role can be explained biologically
  • Highlights gender role influences

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Inconsistent findings across studies
  • Unanswered questions about fatherless children