Final answer:
Shaffer & Emerson's 1964 study on child development and attachment is historically significant but has faced criticism for its inflexibility in the face of new research. Later studies offer additional context that could impact the evaluation of their work.
Step-by-step explanation:
An evaluation of Shaffer & Emerson's 1964 study would focus on how their findings are perceived in terms of impact and value in psychological research. After considering the evidence provided in various studies, it appears that Shaffer & Emerson's work contributed valuable insights into child development and attachment. However, the critiques often target the inflexibility in adjusting the study's design amidst emerging evidence and changing societal norms.
The study, while groundbreaking at the time, may not account for later research such as Rosenthal & Jacobson's (1968) study on teacher expectations, which showed how beliefs can influence outcomes independently of the initial conditions. Furthermore, studies like Heckert et al. (2006) and DeNisi & Kluger (2000), offer nuanced understandings of performance and evaluation that could further contextualize Shaffer & Emerson's results.
Using this information, an evaluation would weigh the historical significance of their work against the potential criticisms regarding its adaptability to new findings and the replicability of their conclusions in diverse or modern contexts.