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Thursday, May 3, 2007

Attachment

Psychologists talk about attachment behaviour and define an attachment as, ‘a close emotional relationship between two persons characterized by mutual affection and a desire to maintain proximity’ (Schaffer). Attachments serve the purpose of keeping the child and primary caregiver (usually the mother) physically and emotionally close.

It is easy to see that throughout human history this has been particularly important in terms of survival; the infant needs warmth, protection and nourishment and the mother provides these. There is also a growing emotional attachment which makes it possible for the child to feel secure, loved, happy and confident.

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