What aspect of attachment does Schaffer and Emerson's theory emphasize?

Schaffer and Emerson's theory emphasizes that the quality of attachment a child forms is more crucial than merely the quantity of time spent with a caregiver. This means that the emotional bond and the security that the child feels within that relationship play a significant role in their overall development. The warmth, sensitivity, and responsiveness of the caregiver are what foster strong, healthy attachments.

In their research, Schaffer and Emerson found that while infants may spend time with multiple caregivers, it is the nature of the interaction and the feelings of safety and trust that determine the strength of an attachment. Thus, a child could spend a substantial amount of time with a caregiver but still not form a deep attachment if that caregiver is unresponsive or insensitive to the child's needs.

The other options do not align with Schaffer and Emerson's findings. They indicate that attachment can occur outside of infancy, that not all infants need multiple attachments for development, and that caregiver responsiveness is indeed fundamental to attachment quality.