Final answer:
The statement that food alone is insufficient for attachment formation is true. Attachment requires responsiveness to needs and mutual enjoyment in interactions, as demonstrated by Bowlby's Attachment Theory and Harlow's study on monkeys, showing the importance of social comfort over food.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that food alone is insufficient to bring about attachment is true. Attachment theory, as developed by John Bowlby, emphasizes that healthy attachment between a child and caregiver requires responsiveness to the child's needs and mutually enjoyable interactions. Studies like those by Harry Harlow with rhesus monkeys have shown that social comfort is deemed more important than food for the development of attachment. Harlow's study specifically indicated that monkeys preferred the comfort of a soft mother surrogate over a wire surrogate that provided food, highlighting the value of comfort and security in attachment formation.
John Bowlby's Attachment Theory
John Bowlby proposed that for normal social and emotional development, an infant must form an attachment bond with a primary caregiver, and this bond is pivotal throughout life. He also introduced the concept of a secure base, which is crucial for a child's sense of safety while exploring their environment.
Implications for Human Attachment
These foundational studies and theories in psychology reveal that while nourishment is necessary, the quality of the relationship and the emotional support provided by the caregiver are essential for attachment. This understanding is critical in recognizing the complexity of human emotions and relationships beyond just the provision of basic physical needs.