Schaffer's Stages of Attachment

• Stages of attachment


  - Many developmental theories identify a sequence of qualitatively different behaviours linked to specific ages.

  - In stages of attachment some characteristics of the infant's behaviour towards others change as the infant gets older.
• Stage 1: Asocial stage


  - 0-6 weeks

  - Babies response to human and non-human objects is similar.

  - Happier in the presence of humans, however indiscriminate of humans.
• Stage 2: Indiscriminate attachment


  - 6 weeks-7 months

  - Indiscriminately enjoy human company, respond equally to any caregiver.

  - They get upset when someone stops interacting with them.

  - 3 months+ easier if comforted from a regular caregiver and smile more at familiar faces.
• Separation anxiety


  Emotional distress seen in many infants when they are separated from people with whom they have formed an attachment
• Stranger anxiety


  The fear of strangers that infants commonly display, beginning by about 8 months of age
• Stage 3: Specific attachment

  - 7-9 months

  - Special preference to a single attachment figure.

  - Particular people can comfort, provide security and protection.

  - Stranger and separation anxiety.
• Anxiety


  The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen
• Primary attachment figure


  The person who has formed the closest bond with a child, demonstrated by the intensity of the relationship.
• Stage 4: Multiple attachments

  - 10 months+

  - Baby becomes more independent and forms multiple attachments, usually by 18 months.

  - Babies attached more to those which responded accurately to their signals; sensitive responsiveness.
• Secondary attachments


  Attachments formed by the infant with other people they see regularly.
• Schaffer and Emerson's procedure

  60 babies, working class families in Glasgow, the researchers visited the mothers and babies in their homes, asked mother questions about when the baby shows signs of anxiety
• Schaffer and Emerson's findings
• Strengths of the stages of attachment

  Good external validity

  - Most of the observations were made by parents during ordinary activities and reported to the researchers.

  - Highly likely the participants behaved naturally while being observed.

  
  

  Real-world application

  - In the asocial and indiscriminate attachment stages day care is likely to be straightforward as babies can be comforted by any skilled adult.

  - However, Schaffer's research tells us that day care may be problematic during the specific attachment stage.
• Limitations of the stages of attachment

  Poor evidence of the asocial stage

  - Young babies have poor-coordination and are fairly immobile.

  - This made it difficult for mothers to observe and report back to researchers on signs of anxiety and attachment in this age group.