Final answer:
Crying in infants is considered a behavior that enhances relationships with the caregiver according to attachment theory. It is a primary way for infants to communicate their needs and cues the caregiver to respond, which helps establish a secure attachment and promotes a healthy emotional and social development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Attachment theory considers crying (in an infant) to be a behavior that enhances relationships with the caregiver. John Bowlby, who developed the concept of attachment theory, posited that infants have innate behaviors that strengthen the bond with their primary caregivers. He emphasized that a strong and healthy attachment is necessary for normal social and emotional development.
Crying is an instinctive behavior in newborn infants, serving as a communication tool that signals their needs to the caregiver. This sharing of signals and needs fosters a sense of understanding and responsiveness from the caregiver, which in turn promotes a secure bond between the child and the caregiver.
Moreover, a caregiver's responsive behavior is crucial for the development of a secure base, which allows the child to explore their environment with a feeling of safety and security. Thus, the ability of the caregiver to respond appropriately to the infant's needs, including their cries, plays a critical role in the formation of a secure attachment.