Ev of Schaffer and Emerson

• Increased our knowledge and understanding of:

  • results indicated attachments likely to form with those who responded accurately to the baby's signals, not the person they spend more time with
  • S+E called this sensitive responsiveness
  • quality not quantity
• YES Temporal validity

  • valid over time
  • however gender bias? (alpha bias)
• YES Ecological Validity

  • naturalistic observation
  • baby responding how they normally would
  • conducted in their own homes
• NO Interviews

  • social desirability bias
  • mum may not give accurate info
  • influence validity
• NO sample

  • representation, target population, generalisations (specific)
  • however, replicated=reliability
• NO observation

  • researcher bias
  • reduced validity possible