Psychology · Year 12 · Attachment · 3.º Período

Caregiver-Infant Interactions

An introduction to the development of attachment, focusing on reciprocity and interactional synchrony. Students will review Schaffer and Emerson's stages of attachment.

TL;DR:Attachment is the deep emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver. This topic introduces the foundational concepts of reciprocity and interactional synchrony, which describe the 'dance' between baby and parent. Students explore how these early interactions form the basis for all future social development. The curriculum also covers Schaffer and Emerson's stages of attachment, providing a timeline for how these bonds evolve from birth through the first year of life.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• AQA 4.1.3.1 Caregiver-infant interactions in humans
• AQA 4.1.3.2 Stages of attachment

About This Topic

Attachment is the deep emotional bond between an infant and their primary caregiver. This topic introduces the foundational concepts of reciprocity and interactional synchrony, which describe the 'dance' between baby and parent. Students explore how these early interactions form the basis for all future social development. The curriculum also covers Schaffer and Emerson's stages of attachment, providing a timeline for how these bonds evolve from birth through the first year of life.

This topic is essential for understanding human development and the importance of early social experiences. It also addresses the evolving role of the father in modern British society, moving beyond traditional views to look at the psychological evidence for multiple attachments. By studying these interactions, students learn to apply observational techniques to real-world human behaviour.

This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches like collaborative investigations where students can analyse video footage of infant behaviour to identify specific interactional patterns.

Key Questions

1. What behaviours characterise early caregiver-infant interactions?
2. What are the distinct stages of attachment development?
3. What is the role of the father in early infant development?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Reciprocity and interactional synchrony are the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

Clarify that reciprocity is a 'turn-taking' back-and-forth, while interactional synchrony is doing the same thing at the same time (mirroring). Using physical gestures to demonstrate 'taking turns' versus 'mirroring' helps students distinguish the two.

Common Misconception

Infants only form one 'real' attachment.

What to Teach Instead

Explain that while the first attachment is often the strongest, Schaffer and Emerson found that most infants form multiple attachments (to fathers, grandparents, etc.) shortly after. Reviewing the data on multiple attachments helps correct this 'monotropic' bias.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Coding Synchrony

Students watch short, ethical clips of caregiver-infant interactions. Using a simple coding sheet, they must tally instances of reciprocity and interactional synchrony, then compare their findings with a partner to check for reliability.

40 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share

The Role of the Father

Students discuss why traditional research focused almost exclusively on mothers. They then evaluate more recent evidence suggesting that fathers often take on a 'play and stimulation' role rather than a purely nurturing one.

20 min·Pairs

Stations Rotation

Schaffer's Stages

Create four stations, one for each stage of attachment (asocial, indiscriminate, specific, multiple). At each station, students must match specific infant behaviours and ages to the correct stage based on Schaffer and Emerson's findings.

45 min·Small Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What is interactional synchrony?

Interactional synchrony is when a caregiver and infant reflect both the actions and emotions of the other in a coordinated, almost simultaneous way. It is often described as 'mirroring' and is thought to be a key foundation for a secure attachment bond.

What are Schaffer and Emerson's four stages of attachment?

The stages are: 1. Asocial stage (0-8 weeks), 2. Indiscriminate attachment (2-7 months), 3. Specific attachment (7-12 months), and 4. Multiple attachments (1 year+). These stages track the infant's growing preference for familiar people and the development of separation anxiety.

Can fathers be primary attachment figures?

Yes. Research shows that while mothers are traditionally the primary figures, the key to attachment is the responsiveness of the caregiver, not their gender. Fathers can provide the same level of emotional nurturing, though they often engage in more physically active play.

How can active learning help students understand infant attachment?

Active learning, particularly through video observation and coding, turns students into researchers. Instead of just reading about 'reciprocity,' they have to spot it in real-time. This develops their observational skills and helps them understand the subtle, non-verbal ways humans communicate long before they can speak, making the theory much more tangible.