Role of the father

    Cards (9)

    • What did Schaffer and Emerson discover about the role of the father?
      Most babies form a primary attachment to their mothers
      3% of cases the father was the first sole object of attachment
      But...
      • 75% of babies attached to the father by 18 months and didn't want to be separated
      • Shows fathers do play a role in attachment but play a secondary role
    • Who found that fathers and mothers have different roles in attachment?
      Grossmann
    • Describe Grossmann's research
      Longitudinal study
      Looked at parents' behaviour and its relationship to the quality of children's attachments into their teens
      Found that quality of attachment with mothers related to attachment in adolescence but not for fathers
      Mothers: nurturing
      Fathers: playing
    • Who found that fathers can be primary caregivers?
      Field
    • Describe Field's research
      Primary caregiver fathers performed more nurturing behaviours such as smiling and imitating
      Suggests that fathers can be nurturing
      The key to attachment is responsiveness not sex
    • What is a biological factor that explains the role of the father?
      Testosterone = more playful
      Oestrogen = more nurturing
    • Give one strength of research into the role of the father
      Controlled observations / longitudinal studies
      HOWEVER...
      Demand characteristics in parents - reduces internal validity
    • Give two weaknesses of research into the role of the father
      Socially sensitive
      Impacting same-sex couples or single fathers

      Gender bias
      Lack of research into same-sex couples - the attachment bond could be a lot different in these situations
    • What does early research suggest about the role of the father?
      • The focus was on mother and infant attachment
      • Mothers were seen as more nurturing, having a sensitive responsiveness
      • Fathers were seen as less of a caregiver
      • This was originally believed to be due to biological differences - e.g. hormones