Before Harry Harlow's experiments in the 1950s, the medical and scientific communities generally believed that infants develop attachments to their caregivers primarily because the caregivers provide them with nourishment.

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Attachment is defined as a long-standing connection or bond with others. In the context of developmental psychology, it specifically refers to the crucial bond formed between an infant and a caregiver, which is considered the major social milestone of infancy. The study of attachment also extends to adulthood, examining the tendency to seek and maintain emotionally supportive relationships.

Attachment in Developmental Psychology

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Attachment theory is a psychological, evolutionary, and ethological theory concerning relationships between humans. This theory focuses on understanding the functions of a close bond with an attachment figure such as a parent or spouse. It was formulated by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst John Bowlby.

Attachment Theory

The study of attachment in developmental psychology is guided by several central questions. Researchers seek to understand the mechanisms behind the formation of parent-infant bonds, the potential effects of neglect on these connections, and the reasons for variations in attachment styles among different children.

Key Research Questions in Attachment

The Strange Situation is a structured observational procedure developed by Mary Ainsworth to study attachment between infants, typically aged 12-18 months, and their primary caregivers. The procedure involves a sequence of events in a toy-filled room: the caregiver and infant are initially alone, then a stranger enters, the caregiver leaves the infant with the stranger, and finally, the caregiver returns to comfort the infant. An infant's reactions throughout these stages, especially during the reunion, are analyzed to determine their attachment style.

Mary Ainsworth's Strange Situation Procedure

Analyze the following scenario. Based on the child's actions and the caregiver's responses, what can be inferred about the nature of the emotional connection between them? Justify your conclusion with specific examples from the text.

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