Individual Differences in the Development of Some Attachment Behaviors.

Abstract

As an outcome of a study undertaken some years ago in Uganda, a number of behavior patterns were identified, through which it was proposed, an infant becomes attached to his mother, and which, when taken together, may serve as criteria for judging that an attachment has been formed (Ainsworth, 1963, 1964, 1967). A second study of the development of infant-mother attachment was then instituted, using a sample of white, middle-class American babies, one of the purposes of which was to trace in detail the development of these patterns of attachment behavior throughout the first year of life. This present report deals with some of the findings of this study in regard to the following: crying; response to brief everyday separations from the mother and to her return afterwards; and behavior relevant to physical contact with her. Attachment behavior has been defined as behavior that promotes contact and/or proximity of an infant to his mother figure (Bowlby, 1958; 1969; Ainsworth & Bell, 1970). Crying is classed as an attach ment behavior because it provides a signal that is likely to bring an infant's mother into proximity or contact with him. The conditions that activate crying are varied—including at first hunger, pain, cold, and probably also being out of contact with companions. Although the conditions of its termination are also various, evidence has accumu lated that crying is often effectively terminated by caretaker behaviors involving close physical contact. (See reviews by Bowlby, 1969; Ain