Stages of attachment identified by Schaffer
Schaffer identified four stages that babies pass through as they form emotional bonds with caregivers. Each stage brings a more focused and specific attachment to particular people.
Real World
In Schaffer and Emerson's 1964 Glasgow study, 65% of babies formed their first specific attachment to their mother, but by 18 months most had multiple attachments — showing that the stages unfold in a predictable sequence across different families.
Exam Focus
State all four stages with correct age ranges — a common lost mark is confusing the asocial stage with indiscriminate attachment.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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