Schaffer's stages

• Schaffer & Emerson's Glasgow babies:

  Studied 60 Glasgow babies from working class backgrounds. They visited every month for the first year and then again at 18 months. They measured the babies' attachment by asking the mother questions about separation and stranger anxiety.
• Stage 1; Asocial:

  The baby is recognising and bonding with its caregiver. It responds to objects and humans in a similar manner. There is some preference for familiar adults, in that those individuals find it easier to calm them. Babies seem to be happier in the presence of these individuals.
• Stage 2; Indiscriminate attachment:

  Babies display a preference towards people compared to inanimate objects. They recognise and prefer familiar humans. Usually accepts cuddles and comfort from any adult and they do not usually show separation anxiety or stranger anxiety.
• Stage 3; Specific attachment:

  The majority of infants start to display stranger anxiety and separation anxiety. Formed a specific attachment, this is the person who best responds to the infants needs and signals.
• Stage 4; Multiple Attachments:

  Infants start to have secondary attachments with people it sees on a regular basis. 29% of infants has a secondary attachment within a month of forming a specific attachment. By the age of 1 year the majority of infants have formed multiple attachments.