Final answer:
Children can indeed form trusting relationships with caregivers regardless of cultural differences. Studies by psychologists such as Bowlby and Ainsworth highlight the importance of caregiver responsiveness for the development of secure attachments that are essential for a child's emotional and social well-being. Harlow's research on monkeys illustrates the precedence of emotional security in these relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that children can develop trusting relationships with their caregivers despite variations in cultural customs is true. Research in the field of psychology, including studies by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, demonstrates that secure attachments are formed through the responsiveness and sensitivity of caregivers to a child's needs. These attachments provide a secure base from which children can explore and engage with the world, ultimately aiding in healthy emotional and social development.
Harry Harlow's study with rhesus monkeys also supported the idea that the emotional bonds formed between caregiver and child go beyond pure physical needs like nourishment.
Social comfort was shown to be more critical than food, highlighting the importance of security and comfort in attachment formation. Across different cultures, despite different practices, the fundamental need for emotional security remains constant, as shown through various child-rearing practices worldwide that foster secure relationships.