Attachment

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Schaffer's Stages of Attachment

Aim was to investigate formation of early attachment, age they developed, emotional sensitivity and where they were directed.

Method

60 babies - 31 male, 29 female. All from Glasgow Scotland and from working class families.

Babies and Mothers were visited at home every month for 1 year and again at 18 months.

researchers asked mothers questions about kind of protest the babies had in everyday situations-designed to measure infant's attachment.

Findings

Between 25 and 32 weeks of age 50% of babies showed signs of separation anxiety towards particular adult, usually mother (called specific attachment)

Attachment was tended to be with caregiver who was most interactive and sensitive to facial expressions ( reciprocity). This person tended to be the one spending most time with infant.

By 40 weeks 80% of babies had a specific attachment and around 30% had multiple.

Stages

Asocial stage (first few weeks)

Not really asocial stage because baby is recognising and forming bonds with carers. Baby's behaviour towards objects is similar to humans. Babies show preference to familiar adults and those individuals find it easier to calm them. Babies happier in presence of other humans.

2. Indiscriminate attachment

From 2-7 months babies have more social behaviour. Show a preference to people rather than objects, recognise and prefer familiar adults. Accept cuddles and comfort from any adult, do not usually show stranger or separation anxiety. Behaviour therefore said to be indiscriminate because it is indifferent to any one person.

3. Specific attachment

From around 7 months majority of babies show separation anxiety