schaffer's stages of attachment

• Stages of attachment

  A sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages that infants display towards others as they get older
• Multiple attachments

  Attachments to two or more people. Most babies appear to develop multiple attachments once they have formed one true attachment to a main carer
• Stages of Attachment

  1. Antisocial stage (0-8 weeks): Babies bond towards non-human objects and humans in a similar way

  2. Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months): Babies show some preference for familiar adults, are happier in the presence of other humans

  3. Specific attachment (7-12 months): Babies start to display classic signs of attachment towards a particular person, usually the one that offers more interaction

  4. Multiple attachments (1 year onwards): Babies show attachment behaviours towards multiple people, secondary attachments can form within a month of the primary attachment
• schaffer and emerson


  • investigated the formation of r
• schaffer and emerson


  • investigated the formation of early attachment
  • 60 babies from working class family observed at home. mothers asked about reaction babies showed when separated. stranger anxiety also assessed.
  • 6-8 months: 50% showed signs of separation anxiety
  • 10 months: 80% has specific attachment
• Good external validity


  Parents observed and reported on ordinary activities, avoiding researcher presence that could distract or distress the babies. This likely ensured natural participant behavior.
• Counterpoint


  Using mothers as observers raises objectivity concerns. They may overlook signs of anxiety or misremember details, potentially leading to inaccuracies in recording natural baby behavior.
• Poor evidence of asocial stage


  Schaffer and Emerson's stages struggle to assess attachment in the asocial stage due to difficulties in accurately observing subtle signs of anxiety in babies under two months old.
• Real world application


  Schaffer and Emerson's stages help plan day care. Babies adapt to any skilled adult early on, but their research shows challenges during the specific attachment stage, especially with unfamiliar caregivers.