Schaffers stages of attachment

• The 4 stages of attachment:

  1. Asocial
  2. Indiscriminate attachments
  3. Discriminate attachments
  4. Multiple attachments
• How long is the asocial stage

  Birth - two months
• what is the asocial stage

  an infant shows similar responses to objects and people. Towards the end they show preference for faces/ eyes
• How long is the indiscriminate stage

  two - six months
• what is the indiscriminate stage

  infant shows preference for human company, can distinguish between people but are comforted by anyone. Doesn't show stranger anxiety
• How long is the discriminate stage

  seven - twelve months
• what is the discriminate stage

  infant shows preference for one caregiver, displays separation and stranger anxiety. Infant shows joy upon reunion and comforted by primary caregiver.
• what long is the multiple attachment stage

  one year onwards
• what is multiple attachments

  attachments displayed towards several different people, with secondary attachments. Forms in first month after primary attachment is formed and number of multiple attachments that develop depends on social circle.
• Key study: Schaffer and Emerson

  Aim- examine formation of early attachments

  Methods:

  • sample: 60 babies (31 male, 29 female). from working class families in Glasgow between 5-23 weeks at the start of the invesstigation.
  • researchers visited babies every month for first 12 months and again once at 18 months.
  • Interviewed mothers and observed children in relation to seperation and stranger anxiety in everyday activities
• Schaffer and Emerson results:

  • some support for stages of attachment
  • 25-32 weeks, 50% children showed separation anxiety towards mothers, expected at discriminate stage.
  • By 40 weeks, 80% had discriminate attachments and 30% had multiple attachments