The transition between stages is driven by sensitive responsiveness, which is the caregiver's ability to accurately perceive and respond to the infant's signals. This principle suggests that the quality of interaction is more important for attachment than the quantity of time spent together.
Attachment is not a purely biological reflex but a social-cognitive process. As the infant's brain develops, they gain the ability to recognize individuals and remember them, which is a prerequisite for the specific and multiple attachment stages.
The formation of a primary attachment serves as a 'secure base' for the infant. This emotional security allows them to explore their environment with confidence, knowing they have a safe person to return to if they feel threatened.
| Feature | Indiscriminate Stage | Specific Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Any human who interacts | One specific caregiver (PAF) |
| Stranger Anxiety | Absent; accepts comfort from anyone | Present; wary of new people |
| Separation Anxiety | Minimal or non-existent | High; protests when PAF leaves |
| Age Range | 2 to 7 months | 7 months and older |
It is critical to distinguish between primary and secondary attachments. While the primary attachment usually forms first and provides the strongest emotional bond, secondary attachments are equally valid and provide additional social support and variety in interaction styles.
Identify the Age: When presented with a scenario, look for the infant's age first. If the infant is 4 months old and happy with anyone, they are likely in the Indiscriminate stage; if they are 9 months and crying for a specific person, they are in the Specific stage.
Look for Anxiety Markers: Always check for the presence or absence of stranger and separation anxiety. These are the 'litmus tests' for moving from the Indiscriminate stage to the Specific stage.
Avoid the 'Time' Trap: Remember that the primary attachment figure is not necessarily the person who feeds the child or spends the most hours with them. In exam questions, look for the person who 'responds most sensitively' to the child's needs.
Sequence Matters: Ensure you can list the stages in the correct chronological order. A common mistake is swapping the Specific and Multiple attachment stages.
A common misconception is that the Asocial stage means the infant has no social interest. In reality, they are very interested in humans, but their physical lack of coordination and limited cognitive processing make their social responses appear similar to their responses to objects.
Students often assume that the father cannot be the primary attachment figure. Research shows that while mothers are frequently the first, fathers or other caregivers can be the primary figure if they provide the highest level of sensitive responsiveness.
Another error is thinking that Multiple Attachments replace the primary one. Instead, they supplement it, forming a network of relationships that contribute to the child's overall social development.
