Discuss Schaffer's stages of attachment.

• Discuss Schaffer's stages of attachment. -AO1


  •      Based on study of Schaffer and Emerson (1964) longitudinal study of 60 Glaswegian babies. Observations, interviews and diaries. 

  •      Between 25 and 32 weeks about 50% showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult (usually the mother – specific (primary) attachment).

  •      By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments. 
• Discuss Schaffer's stages of attachment. -AO1

  Asocial stage- similar response to humans and inanimate objects( 0 - 6 weeks).

  •       Indiscriminate attachment- preference for people but behave the same to them all no stranger / separation anxiety ( 6 weeks- 6 months).

  •       Discriminate specific attachment, shows stranger / separation anxiety from one particular adult has primary attachment figure ( 7 months +). 

  •      Multiple attachments forms multiple secondary attachments  (1 year +). 

  •      Attachments were more likely to form to those showing sensitive responsiveness. 
• AO3 - Methodological strength of research it was based on. 


  E:  Method had high ecological validity as were observed at home in a natural setting

  E: Increases the external validity of the experiment so supports the stages. 

  L:  Accurate and credible research to support attachment stages. 
• AO3 -  Timing of the stages is conflicting. 


  E:  The formation of multiple attachments is unclear as in collectivist cultures are formed from onset but in stages after one year. 

  E:  Families work together to raise the child. 

  L:  Stages are ethnocentric and so cannot be generalised to other cultures. 
• AO3 - Stages have applications to raising children.


  E:  In early stages, asocial and indiscriminate babies can be comforted by a skilled adult. 

  E: When children start childcare latter than the specific attachment stage care from strangers can cause distress to child.L:  Therefore, is useful for helping children to form healthy attachments in early stages. 

   
• AO3 - Issues with how multiple attachments are assessed.


  E:  Just because a baby becomes distressed when an individual leaves does not mean that they are their true attachment figure. 

  E:  Separation and stranger anxiety are regarded as limited behavioural measurements of attachment. 

  L:  Use reductionist approaches for measuring attachment. Other methods like those in strange situation, secure base and reunion behaviour, are better.