Final answer:
Attachments outside of the infant/mother relationship do not necessarily weaken the bond. Instead, what is paramount is the quality of caregiving and the responsiveness of the primary caregiver. Attachment theory posits that early attachments form the basis for relationships throughout life and can extend to various social and cultural contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the effects of attachments on the infant/mother bond, grounded in the field of developmental psychology. Research by pioneers such as John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth has elucidated the complexity of early attachments. Ainsworth, through her Strange Situation experiments, identified multiple attachment styles in children, including secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganized. According to Bowlby, the attachment bond is a crucial element for the child's social and emotional development and forms the foundation for later relationships. Moreover, Harry Harlow's work with monkeys underscored the importance of comfort and security over pure nourishment in forming attachments.
While Ainsworth suggested that a secure attachment is essential for a child's development, this does not mean that forming attachments outside of the infant/mother relationship weakens the bond. Instead, what is critical is the responsiveness and sensitivity of the primary caregiver. Additionally, a child may form multiple attachments, and these relationships can contribute to a child's social network and support system, rather than detract from the primary attachment.
It is noteworthy that attachment theories have also been extended to explain our interactions and connections throughout life, influencing our relationships with friends, romantic partners, and even religious deities. However, criticisms of Ainsworth's work have pointed out that attachment can vary based on a child’s temperament and cultural factors, highlighting the complexity of human relationships and attachments.