stages of attachment

stages of attachment

1. stage 1: Asocial stage (first few weeks)

   • the babies behaviour towards humans and objects is quite similar
   • babies show some preference to familiar adults, these adults are better at calming the baby down
   • they are happier in the presence of other humans

2. Stage 2: Indiscriminate attachment

   • 2-7 months
   • babies display more observable and social behaviour
   • shows more interest in people than objects
   • behaviour is no different towards anyone person
   • there's no separation or stranger anxiety

3. Stage 3: specific attachment

   • from around 7 months
   • display anxiety towards strangers and becomes anxious when separated from particular adults
   • at this point a specific attachment is formed (primary attachment figure)

4. stage 4: Multiple attachments

   • happens when a primary attachment is formed
   • babies extend attachment behaviour to other adults they spend a lot of time with (secondary attachments)
   • by about a year babies would've formed multiple attachments