Schaffers stages of attachment

• Who studied babies and mothers in Glasgow?

  SCHAFFER + EMERSON
• What was the demographic of the mothers studied by Schaffer and Emerson?

  All were skilled working-class
• What method did Schaffer and Emerson use to gather data about the babies' behavior?

  They interviewed the mothers
• What did Schaffer and Emerson find regarding attachment stages?

  They found there to be main stages of attachment
• What are the main stages of attachment identified by Schaffer and Emerson?

  1. ASOCIAL STAGE (birth-2 months)

  • Similar responses to objects and people
  • Preference for faces/eyes towards the end

  1. INDISCRIMINATE ATTACHMENT (2-6 months)

  • Preference for humans
  • Distinguishes between people
  • No significant stranger/separation anxiety

  1. SPECIFIC ATTACHMENT (7-12 months)

  • Preference for one caregiver
  • Shows stranger anxiety and separation anxiety
  • Joy on reunion and comforted by primary caregiver

  1. MULTIPLE ATTACHMENTS (1 year on)

  • Forms other attachments
  • 29% had secondary attachments within a month
  • 75% had attachments with the father by 18 months
• What is the age range for the ASOCIAL STAGE of attachment?

  From birth to 2 months
• What do babies show towards the end of the ASOCIAL STAGE?

  Some preference for faces/eyes
• What is the age range for the INDISCRIMINATE ATTACHMENT stage?

  From 2 to 6 months
• What behavior do babies exhibit during the INDISCRIMINATE ATTACHMENT stage?


  They show a clear preference for humans
• What is a key characteristic of the SPECIFIC ATTACHMENT stage?

  Babies show a preference for one caregiver
• What is the age range for the SPECIFIC ATTACHMENT stage?

  From 7 to 12 months
• What emotional responses do babies show during the SPECIFIC ATTACHMENT stage?

  Stranger anxiety and separation anxiety
• What is the age range for the MULTIPLE ATTACHMENTS stage?

  From 1 year onwards
• What percentage of infants had formed secondary attachments within a month of the first attachment?

  29%
• By what age had 75% of infants formed attachments with their father?


  By 18 months