T Level Childcare and Early Years Practice Test

Schaffer and Emerson's attachment theory outlines several key stages of attachment in infants, which include specific attachment, indiscriminate attachment, and multiple attachments. These stages describe how infants typically develop relationships with their primary caregivers and later extend these attachments to other significant individuals in their lives.

The stage of multiple attachments refers to the point when infants form bonds with several caregivers or significant figures in their environment after establishing a primary attachment. Specific attachment represents the development of a strong attachment to one primary caregiver, while indiscriminate attachment occurs in the earlier phase when infants show no particular preference for individual caregivers and are comforted by anyone.

The term "dangerous attachment," however, does not represent any recognized stage in Schaffer and Emerson's work or in attachment theory in general. Such terminology does not align with the developmental stages they identified, making it clear that this option does not belong in the context of their theory. Understanding these stages helps educators and caregivers foster healthy attachment experiences in children, leading to better emotional and social development.