Development of attachment

Development of attachment

1. Stages of attachment

   • Schaffer & Emerson (1964)
     • longitudinal study of 60 babies who were observed every month for first 18 months
     • they observed separation & stranger anxiety, social referencing
   • 1) Asocial stage - up to 6 weeks any form of stimuli producing a favourable reaction
   • 2) Indiscriminate stage - 6 weeks - 7 months no preference for caregiver, distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar people
   • 3) Discriminate stage - 7 months + form one particular attachment, demonstrates stranger & separation anxiety
   • 4) Multiple attachments - by 18 months most infants formed multiple attachments with those who have sensitive responsiveness

2. the role of the father & multiple attachments

   • men are less likely to form primary attachment with infant, one theory is that men are not psychologically equipped to form intense attachment as lack emotional sensitivity of women
   • Heermann et al (1994)
     • men less sensitive to infant cues
   • Frodi et al (1978)
     • found no difference
   • however are many cases with father as secure attachments with children especially single (male) parent families
   • men have important role as secondary attachment figure - more playful & physically active role with children

3. Evaluation

   • unreliable data?
     • some mothers may have been less sensitive to infants but was not reported
     • could be systematic bias in results which don't reflect mothers genuine experiences
     • means data obtained by Schaffer & Emerson may be unreliable & not represent mother-infant relationships
   • biased sample
     • sample was all from working class area in glasgow in 60s
     • may not represent any other social groups or areas and not apply today
     • may lack population & temporal validity
   • too much importance placed on primary attachment figure
     • results suggest infants form one monotropic relationship & that other relationships are secondary
     • but Rutter (1995) all attachment figures are equivalent & integrated to produce infants overall attachment type
     • suggests Schaffer & Emerson undervalued secondary attachments & their role in development of dif. attachment types
   • Cross cultural research
     • Sagi et al (1994) infants raised in family based arrangements (individualistic) were x2 close to mums compared to those raised in communal environments ( collectivist)
     • suggests attachments are culturally specific
     • Schaffer & Emersons stages only applicable to individualist cultures
   • Stage theories
     • stage theories suggest development occurs in specific sequence
     • therefore development is inflexible & according to Schaffer & Emerson single attachments come before multiple which in some situations & cultures may not be true
     • this is problematic as stages become a standard which families are judged & may be classified as abnormal