Final answer:
Studies on feral and isolated children, institutionalized children, and deprived animals highlight the essential role early human contact plays in social development. They demonstrate how lack of interaction and socialization can lead to severe functional and behavioral deficits. These findings underscore the importance of nurturing and social bonds in early life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for a discussion regarding various research studies on the criticality of early human contact for social development, including case studies of feral children, isolated, and institutionalized children, as well as deprived animals. Examples such as the Harlows' monkey experiments, the attachment theory by John Bowlby, and the account of a Ukrainian girl, Oxana Malaya, demonstrate the profound impact of early human interaction on social and emotional development.
Case studies of feral children show the lack of social contact and language leads to significant behavioral and developmental issues. These children often resemble the behaviors and movements of animals rather than humans. The Harlow experiments with rhesus monkeys revealed the importance of comfort and social bonds over mere sustenance, as the monkeys showed a preference for a soft, inanimate 'mother' over a wire mother that provided food. These studies demonstrate that early social and emotional experiences are pivotal for developing normal social behaviors.
John Bowlby's attachment theory also highlights the significance of strong early attachments for emotional and social development, emphasizing that lacking such attachments can have lasting negative consequences. Similarly, extreme cases of neglect, like that of Danielle, show that without socialization, children do not learn fundamental human behaviors and can suffer greatly in their ability to function within society.