Stages of Attachment

• Schaffer and Emerson’s research-Stages are based on a longitudinal observational study of 60 Glasgow babies
• created stages of attachment

  -1) Asocial stage-similar behaviour towards objects and humans but prefers humans, first few weeks.

  -2)Indiscriminate attachment-2–7 months, definite preference for humans, some recognition.

  -3)Specific attachment-from 7 months, attachment to one adult. Stranger and separation anxiety.

  -4)Multiple attachments-shortly after specific attachment, display separation anxiety towards other caregivers too.
• one limitation of Schaffer and Emerson's research is it lacks generalisability, as the only sample was 60 glasgow babies
• one limitation of Schaffer and Emerson's research is there is not much evidence for the asocial stage
• Another limitation of Schaffer and Emerson's study is that it was conducted in the 1960s, therefore some parenting styles may be different compared to modern day.