Who developed the four sequences of attachment in children?

The correct response highlights Schaffer and Emerson, who conducted pioneering research on attachment in children. They identified four distinct stages of attachment development through observational studies of infants and their interactions with caregivers. Their work provided valuable insights into how attachment bonds form and evolve over time, focusing on aspects like social and emotional development.

By meticulously observing children in their natural environments, Schaffer and Emerson found that attachment evolves through a sequence: starting from asocial responses early on, moving to indiscriminate attachments, and finally leading to the formation of specific attachments. Their findings illustrated that these attachment patterns are influenced not just by the immediate presence of caregivers but also by the development of social relationships as children grow.

Bowlby, while foundational in attachment theory, is particularly known for his concept of the attachment system and the idea of secure and insecure attachment types, rather than the sequence of attachment development stages that Schaffer and Emerson focused on. Rutter's work primarily contributed to understanding resilience and the effects of institutional care on attachment, while Malaguzzi is notably associated with the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, rather than attachment theory.

Thus, Schaffer and Emerson's identification of the four sequences of attachment places them at the forefront of understanding how children’s relationships with