Development of attachment

Development of attachment

1. Schaffer and Emerson

   • Key study: method
     • Study involved 60 babies (31 male, 29 female). All from Glasgow and the majority were from skilled working - class families. The babies and mothers were visited every month for the first year and again at 18 months. Researchers asked the mother questions about the protests their babies showed about separations. (separation anxiety and stranger anxiety).
   • They aimed to investigate the formation of early attachments; at what age they developed, their emotional intensity and to whom they were attached to.
   • Key study: findings
     • Between 25 and 32 weeks of age about 50% of the babies showed signs of separation anxiety towards a particular adult. (Usually the mother - discriminate attachment). Attachment tended to be to the caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to infants signals and facial expressions. By the age of 40 weeks, 80% of the babies had a specific attachment and almost 30% displayed multiple attachments.