Social+Bonding

__**Bonding**__- refers to the formation of a close personal relationship between individuals or groups. Bonding is especially prevalent in situations where there is frequent or constant association.

What is the Attachment Theory?

media type="youtube" key="aT-bhdlSZbM" height="315" width="560" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT-bhdlSZbM

Name **three** things that this video taught you about maternal-infant bonding.



__**Attachment**__- the emotional bond between two individuals.

"The central theme of attachment theory is that mothers who are available and responsive to their infant's needs establish a sense of security in their children. The infant knows that the caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world" (About).

According to this theory, there are four components to attachment psychology:
 * 1) The attachment creates a __safe haven__ when the child can return to the caregiver for soothing and comfort.
 * 2) The caregiver provides a __secure base__ so that the child can explore the world and grow as an individual.
 * 3) The child tries to stay near the caregiver. This __proximity maintenance__ keeps the child safe and alive.
 * 4) If the child is separated from the caregiver, the child will become upset and experience __separation distress__.



Sources: http://psychology.about.com/od/loveandattraction/a/attachment01.htm http://www.libertatea.ro/typo3temp/pics/4034-154311-bebe_898520ee5b.jpg http://www.frenzedwaters.com/images/friends.jpg http://bouzou.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/calin.jpg