Final answer:
Attachment Theory emphasizes the importance of a primary caregiver's responsive and attentive relationship with an infant for healthy social and emotional development, as introduced by John Bowlby and expanded by Mary Ainsworth, who identified different attachment styles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Attachment Theory - Bowlby and Ainsworth's Contributions
Attachment Theory is defined primarily by the works of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Bowlby's concept of attachment describes the deep emotional tie that an infant forms with a primary caregiver, which is vital for the infant's social and emotional development. This attachment serves as a secure base from which the child can explore the world. A healthy attachment is characterized by the caregiver's responsive and attentive interaction with the child.
Mary Ainsworth, a colleague of Bowlby, further expanded on Attachment Theory through her research on the nature of children's attachments to their caregivers. She identified different attachment styles: secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganized. Ainsworth's work highlighted that while the bond between caregiver and child is vital, the ways in which this attachment can manifest vary considerably, influenced by the caregiver's behavior, the child's temperament, and cultural contexts.
Researchers like Harlow have also contributed to our understanding of the importance of comfort and security in caregiver-infant bonding, laying the groundwork for Bowlby and Ainsworth's seminal work.