Final answer:
The behaviors of gentle touching and gazing observed in a new father with his newborn are characteristics of engrossment and bonding, which contribute to a foundation for a healthy attachment that is essential for a child's social and emotional development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The new father gently touching his newborn son and spending time gazing at his son are behaviors characteristic of engrossment and bonding. John Bowlby's attachment theory explains that attachment is an affectional bond that an infant forms with a caregiver, fundamental for the child's normal social and emotional development. However, the concept of engrossment specifically relates to the father's absorption, preoccupation, and interest in the newborn, which is part of the initial bonding process. Bonding behaviors involve parents feeling connected to their newborn, often through touch and eye contact, which are critical for the child's sense of security and comfort. These interactions lay the foundation for a healthy attachment characterized by a feeling of safety as the child explores their environments, and where caregivers are responsive to the child's needs.