AO1

• Schaffer and Emerson conducted a large-scale observation using a longitudial study of 60 infant from a working class area in Glasgow over 2 years. Infants were observed every 4 weeks until they were 12 months, and then again at 18 moths. They used two measures of attachment; seperation anxiety and stranger fear. Seperation anxiety was measured by leaving infants alone in everyday situations. Stranger fear was measured by seeing how infants responded to the presence of a stranger.
• Schaffer and Emerson outlined 4 stages of attachment:

  • Asocial
  • Indiscriminate
  • Specific
  • Multiple
• Asocial

  The asocial stage of attachment takes place between 0 and 6 weeks. The infant prefers faces and eyes, such as teddys and humans, and doesn't discriminate between people.
• Indiscriminate

  The indiscriminate stage takes place between 6 weeks and 7 months. The infant can distinguish between people but can be comforted indiscriminately.
• Specific

  The specific stage takes place between 7 and 9 months. The infant has a preference to one caregiver and experience seperation anxiety and stranger fear.
• Multiple

  The multiple stage takes place from 10 months. The infant begins to form multiple attachments.