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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.
attachment
it is a strong long lasting emotional tie or bond between two people.
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 is an emotional bond between 2 people. it is a two way process that endures over times. it leads to certain behaviours such as clinging and proximity seeking, and serves the function of protecting an infant.
Kirsten Blokland has written: 'Infant attachment and three-year emotional expression'
Oxytocin
Secure attachment in an infant implies that the infant trusts her mother or caregiver is truly attached to them. A good example was shown through " The Strange Situation" theory. In this study they tested that a baby will show signs of distress if separated from their primary care giver (usually the mother) and will show signs of joy and seek comfort in the cargiver when they are reunited. This shows that they are attached securely and the baby uses the caregiver as a safe base. Approximately 60-65% of American babies has been shown to have secure attachemnt relationships.
An infant's main learning tool in the first months after birth is the infant's parent/guardian/caregiver.
temperament
Early attachment is likely to predict adult relationship styles.