AS: psychology - attachments

AS: psychology - attachments

1. what is attachment?

   • attachment: an emotional tie or relationship between two people shown in their behaviour
   • critical period: a specific period of time in which something has to develop
   • sensitive period: a period of time in which something is likely to occur

2. formation of attachments

   • schaffer and emerson (1964)
     • Aim: to look at the gradual development of attachments.
       • Method: studied 60 babies from glasgow. visited monthly for their first year. then at 18 months. they looked at two types of behaviour.
         • separation anxiety: if the baby showed anxiety or distress when the caregiver left them. (indicates they have formed attachment to person)
         • stranger distress: if the baby showed signs of distress when approached by someone who they did not know (indicates they can recognise familiar people)