Schaffer's Stages of Attachment

- First few weeks

- behaviour towards non-human objects & humans= similar

- baby shows preference to familiar adults who find it easier to calm the baby down

- baby also happier when in presence of other humans

- 2-7 months

- baby shows more observable social beh

- prefer ppl rather than non-human objects

- recognise & prefer familiar ppl= mum, dad, siblings

- do not show separation or stranger anxiety

- attachment beh not different towards any one person

- 7 months

- stranger & separation anxiety

- formed specific attachment to adult= mainly birth mother

- this person called primary attachment figure

- a person who responds to baby's social releasers with skill & offers most interaction

- after formed primary attachment= within a month= form attachment with multiple adults whom they spend most time with

- secondary attachments