attachment

The bond that is formed between an infant and its primary caregiver is called an attachment bond. This bond is important for the infant's development, helping fulfill the infant's need for safety, security and protection. It is important to note that this attachment can develop equally with either a father or mother or whoever is the primary caregiver. The goal of the attachment bond is to keep the infant in proximity to the caregiver and maintain access to safety and security that the caretaker provides.

Coordinated interaction between caregiver and infant is called Synchrony.

John Bowlby posited that attachment is the result of evolutionary pressure placed on primate infants to increase their survival rate. Attachment theory prompts the infant to seek proximity with a familiar caregiver when they feel threatened or in danger.

Attachment Theory says an infant must grow "attached" emotionally to at least one adult for the child to be healthy, the person is ussually a caregiver.

Another attachment theory is known as Stockholm Syndrome, this happens in cases of abduction where the abductee grows an attachment to their captor.