To assess whether there was a pattern of attachment formation that was common to all infants. Also, to identify and describe stages which attachments form.
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What was the method of a study looking into the stages of attachment?
Schaffer and Emerson used a longitudinal study on 60 newborns in Glasgow. Mothers and infants observed every month for their first year and again at 18 months. Observations and interviews were conducted. Questions about who they smile at etc.
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How was attachment measured in a study into the stages of attachment?
Separation protest- Assessed through several everyday processes like being left outside a shop etc and seeing their response.
Stranger anxiety- Researcher approaching infant and seeing if he distresses the child.
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What were the findings of a study into the stages of attachment?
Separation anxiety show between 6-8 months with stranger anxiety coming one month later. The attachment was stronger the faster the mother was to meet their needs. 87% had 2 attachments at 18 months. 39% attachments weren't to prime caregiver.
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What was the conclusion made from a study into the stages of attachment?
The pattern of the formation of attachments is common to all infants, process is biologically controlled. Schaffer would create the stages of attachment from this study.
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What is one strength of a study into the stages of attachment?
Schaffer and Emerson's study has high ecological validity as it was done with realistic scenarios like being left outside a shop. We can be confident that the conclusions have good ecological validity.
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What is one weakness of a study into the stages of attachment?
There could have been observer bias as the mothers were the observers which could cause inaccuracy or bias. Less confidence in the accuracy of the theory due to low ecological validity.
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What is one weakness of a study into the stages of attachment?
Schaffer and Emerson's study was ethnocentric. Only in one part of Glasgow in the 60s. Sagi et al found that individualistic cultures had infants that were 2x as close to their mothers. Stages of attachment not in other cultures?
After 6 weeks of age, infants prefer humans to objects and will smile at things they like/ other people.
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What is the Indiscriminate attachment stage?
Infants smile more at known people although they will allow strangers to handle them.
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What is the discriminate attachment phase?
Infants begin to develop specific attachments, staying close to one particular adult. Separation anxiety starts. Avoid unfamiliar people and resist strangers who try and handle them.
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What is the multiple attachments stage of attachment?
Infants form strong emotional ties with other major caregivers. Stranger anxiety weakens. Attachment to mother remains strongest. Attachments can be formed for different reasons like father being for play and mother for care.
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What is one weakness of Schaffer's stages of attachment?
Infants during the pre-attachment phase are generally immobile so we can't make assumptions about their behaviour as there isn't much behaviour to observe. Not enough evidence to have a good understanding of asocial stage.
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What is one weakness of Schaffer's stages of attachment?
The theory is quite inflexible as to when attachments can occur but in some cultures these things aren't so rigid. The problem is that this is considered the norm and other families are "abnormal".
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
What was the method of a study looking into the stages of attachment?
Back
Schaffer and Emerson used a longitudinal study on 60 newborns in Glasgow. Mothers and infants observed every month for their first year and again at 18 months. Observations and interviews were conducted. Questions about who they smile at etc.
Card 3
Front
How was attachment measured in a study into the stages of attachment?
Back
Card 4
Front
What were the findings of a study into the stages of attachment?
Back
Card 5
Front
What was the conclusion made from a study into the stages of attachment?
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