Final answer:
There is no strong evidence to suggest that full-time day care interferes with infant attachment. It is the quality of caregiving and emotional responsiveness that primarily influences the attachment style formed by children, as shown by key researchers like Mary Ainsworth and John Bowlby.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Full-Time Day Care on Infant Attachment
Research examining the effects of full-time day care on infant attachment has found no strong evidence that day care interferes with attachment. Studies have indicated that what is more crucial to the infant's attachment are the responsiveness and sensitivity of the primary caregivers to the child’s needs. Influential work by Mary Ainsworth through the Strange Situation procedure illustrates that the quality of attachment varies (secure, avoidant, resistant, disorganized), and this can be influenced by the caregiver’s interactions with the child more than the child’s day care status. However, it is important to consider factors such as the child's temperament and cultural variations that can also affect attachment styles.
Additional research has suggested that secure attachment forms when children have caregivers who are not only physically present but also emotionally responsive and engaged. According to John Bowlby's attachment theory, a secure attachment provides a base for the child to explore and learn. Thus, attachment security seems to stem more from the quality of the parent-child interactions than from the mere physical presence of the parent or the use of day care services.