Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes A Baby's Brain

The majority of developmental theories say that children must develop a secure primary attachment in order to develop in a healthy manner. A secure and strong attachment is clearly essential for healthy future relationships. John Bowlby’s studies in childhood development led him to the conclusion that a strong attachment to a caregiver provides a necessary sense of security and foundation. Without such a relationship in place, Bowlby found that a great deal of developmental energy is expended in the search for stability and security. In general, those without such attachments are fearful and are less willing to seek out and learn from new

“Discovering Love” is an article about the definition of love and the different aspects, such as how it works and where you get it. Developmental psychologist Harry Harlow is the main contributor to this study. Harlow was particularly interested in how early life experiences, specifically interaction with one’s mother or primary caregiver, impact an individual’s ability to love and be loved by others later in life.

According to Winnicott, there are three stages in infant development. In stage one, undifferentiated unity, the child must feel connected to the mother. The mother fulfils this need through feeding, bathing and holding the child. In doing so, the child feels all powerful, and incomplete control of the mother. Their every need is met, and they want for nothing. However, Winnicott warns that if a mother fails to respond adequately to the child’s needs, this will hinder the development of healthy future relationships, including the relationship with one self.

Love can be an amazing thing and it is often said that nothing compares to the bond between a mother and her child, yet before a study called “The nature of love” which is discussed in the book “Forty studies that changed psychology: Explorations into the history psychological research,” our society had a very different understand about what caused this bond (Hock, 2013). In the book the author Roger Hock explores many different influential studies but in the section called “Discovering Love,” he takes a closer look into this study and discusses its importance (Hock, 2013). The influence of this study can be found in many different types of literature such as contemporary articles like “Building your own family,” which was published in Scientific American Mind (2014). This article implicitly provides further understand of the “The nature of love” study results and shows active efforts to continue building on the original theoretical ideas in order to change our views about human development (Jacobson, 2014). Even in modern text books like Psychology: Eighth Edition, can we find traces of the importance of this study. Thus this study not only provided a tremendous contribution to the field of Psychology but also changed society by altering its views on child rearing all together.

People can be proud of being “in love,” or of friendship. Affection is modest-even furtive and shame-faced” (Lewis 33). Though Lewis focuses heavily on the parent-offspring relationship, he does believe affection can exist within other types of relationships. For example, Lewis says that a child who grows up seeing an old gardener but does not personally know him will still have affection for him as the result and comfort of familiarity (Lewis 33). Lewis seems to argue two types off relationships built on affection; one in which you are familiar with your surroundings, like the old gardener, and on affection of

Early childhood is the most important phase of development in one’s lifespan as the experiences during childhood sets the course for later stages of development. It has been noted that a mother’s actions during pregnancy may influence the development of an infant. The developmental influences include prenatal, perinatal and neonatal environments. (Santrock, 2002) Although babies come into the world with no say or control over which family they will be placed into, or the environment in which they will begin to live in, theorists agree that the first two years are crucial, with early emotional, physical and social development influenced by the infant’s biological and environmental factors (Sigelman, Rider, & De-George Walker, 2013). The

When babies and young children feel valued, secure and trust the people around them, they are more likely to thrive and achieve their developmental goals. Certain areas of development are linked to the strength of attachment that children have with those around them, especially emotional and language development. We also know that children learn from those they have a strong bond with and so cognitive development can also be linked to strong relationships. This is of course equally true with their primary carer, for example their parents, as well as with their key person in their setting.

Psychoanalyst, John Bowlby in the mid 19th hundreds, investigated attachment theory. Over the years, we have enhanced our understanding on how children attach to their primary caregiver earlier in life. Supported by attachment theory, infants have a window for the development of attachment to the primary caregiver, which, usually happens during the first months of life (Hardy, 2007). Given that Alexander’s parents’ left when he was only 3 months and was raised by his grandparents, it is no surprise that when he reunited with his parents, they felt like complete strangers to him, because they were not the ones meeting his needs early in life.

When a person becomes a parent, their role in life undoubtedly changes. The person must become a teacher, a guide, and a helping hand in the life of the child. Research has shown that there is a distinct connection between how a child is raised and their overall developmental outcome. John Bowlby’s attachment theory emphasizes the importance of the regular and sustained contact between the parent-infant or parent-child relationship (Travis & Waul 2003). Yet, what happens when the only physical contact a child can share with their parent is a hand pressed on the shield of glass that separates the two? What happens when the last memory of their mother or father was from the corner of their own living room as they watched their parent

It has been shown that the relationships infants develop early on in life have lasting effects on their identity and behavior. Extensive research has indicated that the relationship between an infant and its caregivers is particularly important.

The three simple words “I love you,” are words which we all need to hear. These words are magical words, but yet they are hard to say and often hard to receive. A lot of this goes back to the family. When a baby isn’t properly nurtured and loved, he/she is more than likely to grow up struggling to give or receive love. We must make sure that these three magical words are said and expressed within

A significant element in a child’s life is a relationship with their parent and central to this is the aspect of infant-mother bond (Cook, 1999). Parents play a critical role in modeling the adult lives of their children. A research on early brain development revealed that early intervention of warm and receptive care given to children is critical for their growth. It is vital to encourage and offer optimum care for the young children. The way a child is nurtured is a factor in their early brain development. Positive nurturing care and love towards children in their infanthood up to around 6 years results in a positive brain growth (Tribble, 2012). With both parents working, adverse effects on child development may be experienced. Children

The concept of infant-mother attachment is as important to the child as the birth itself. The effect this relationship has on a child shall affect that child for its entire life. A secure attachment to the mother or a primary caregiver is imperative for a child’s development. Ainsworth’s study shows that a mother is responsive to her infant’s behavioral cues which will develop into a strong infant-mother attachment. This will result in a child who can easily, without stress, be separated from his mother and without any anxiety. Of course the study shows a child with a weak infant-mother relationship will lead to mistrust, anxiety, and will never really be that close with the mother. Without the

It seems to be without question that love is at the core of what every human desires. We seek it from the start of life, before we even know the word or emotion, in the bond of parent and child. We look for it in friendships and family relationships as we grow throughout childhood. When mature, we long for the companionship that a lifelong vow of love and marriage will satisfy. The Bible mentions love hundreds of times and places it high above almost anything else, naming it as the center of our salvation in Christ and our hope of life eternal with Him. It’s almost too simple of a concept that love matters, but as Sue Gerhardt shares throughout her book Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain, somehow we lose sight of just how important love really is, and the fallout from this neglect can change a person’s life completely.

Love and affection are unconditional sometimes regardless of one’s mindset. It has been proven by scientist, that love and affection has psychological impacts on humans. It was said in an article by (Mainwaring) “that someone suggested children be