Final answer:
According to social learning theory, 'identification' is the term that refers to a child's emotional attachment with respected and loved adults, which is integral for their emotional and social development.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to social learning theory, identification refers to the child's emotional attachment to admired adults, especially those who provide love and care. This concept is deeply intertwined with attachment theory, which was developed by John Bowlby, stating that an affectional bond or tie that infants form with their caregiver is crucial for their normal social and emotional development.
Bowlby's idea of secure base is integral to understand how children utilize their caregiver's presence for safety while exploring their surroundings. It is evident that for healthy attachment, the caregiver's responsiveness to the child’s needs and mutual enjoyment in interactions are necessary. Attachment styles, such as secure, avoidant, and resistant, further categorize the nature of these relationships.