In the past, people used to believe that animals tended to create bonds at such a young age with those that provided nourishment for them. In 1950, Harry Harlow created an experiment to test this. He found that baby rhesus monkeys actually preferred to create bonds with the fake mother that was softer that he could cuddle with, rather than the fake mother that provided nourishment, but wasn't comfortable. He termed this contact comfort, observing positive emotions associated to touch. This phenomenon is very much observed with younger humans. If an adult is with her child when she comes across an old friend that the child hasn't met yet, it is very common that the child will hug tight to its mother's legs, burying its face. It has been agreed that this contact comfort is pretty much a basic need. This has been noticed that in orphanages filled with many kids: kids tend to become underdeveloped, get sick, and even die when this need has not been met. Apart from possibly keeping the child alive, soothing touches such as gentle back rubs, according to Linda Sonna, can help build trust between the infant and its caregiver. She then goes on to say that caregivers ought not to try to hold an embrace if the infant is trying to get away, unless the initial embrace was in an attempt to calm them down, otherwise it may result in the infant growing weary of the touch of another.
The Temptation to Touch
No TrackBacks
TrackBack URL: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/183963
I think it's very unfair and unfortunate for kids who live in orphanages since they lack contact comfort. That example really shows the importance of having contact comfort with another person and how it is essential in order to develop properly. Being deprived of this source of comfort is saddening and I really pity those poor kids.
I agree with the above comment: it is quite unfortunate that orphaned children are often deprived of contact comfort. I know that we have been speaking of fears and phobias a lot recently, and I wonder if contact comfort has anything to do with fear or the extinguishing of phobias.
Furthermore, I would love to know a little more about how a lack of contact comfort can affect children. I have read studies that claim that people who have a significant other who they kiss daily generally have stronger immune systems. Is this a type of contact comfort? Or do these same principles affect the immune systems and the development of children?
Just something to think about-- I think I will be researching this a little more in-depth, and I will post a link if I find something interesting!
Going along with the orphanage comment, I thought that the case described in the book about the orphanages in Romania was absolutely horrible for those children. I can't imagine what could happen to a child if they didn't even have an authority figure to look up to for the first several years of their life. It's no wonder those kids had developmental and behavioral problems later on.
I think pauls695's comment is interesting, as considering a physical relationship with a significant other as a form of adult contact comfort can also have a pronounced impact. A child must have contact comfort to grow and learn to trust others, but as an adult I feel that there is still a need to feel the touch of someone who cares.
I find the power of touch to be simply amazing. I have read in my other courses this semester that skin to skin contact with an adult helps newborns and preterm babies regulate their body temperatures and body systems. Just another way that physical contact is important! Nothing beats that long awaited hug from a parent when you're feeling down. And that probably stems way back from when we are babies!
I think a power of toching is extreme. I heard that when people have a conversation with toching the other's arm, shoulder or hand, they can be connected emotionally, so the conversation went smoothly without disagrees or conflicts. I think that "touch" means we have no wall between us. We are close and we can talk any problems and adivces to each other. However, people should be careful when they touch. Some people think personal space as very important so that if others touch them, they got mad!
Very interesting blog post. It's very sad what the simple lack of touch can do to orphans and hopefully they can figure out a way to make the children in these orphanages find that contact comfort.
Physical contact is such a tricky thing. There needs to be a balance that many parents have trouble finding. A couple years ago, I realized that my mom gives short but frequent physical touches, like hugs, hand holding, etc. So when I want to hug her for a long time, most of the time she’s hesitant after a few moments and this gives the effect of a strained hug. That was a little disconcerting after realization, because I felt like I had lost this connection. But she is always willing to give me a hug. She gives genuine hugs, however short. My lack of noticing this until a few years ago probably proves that her method was suffice.
Interesting blog post. It so crazy that the lack of something as simple as another person's presence or touch can lead to such harmful results. I think it is interesting though that without the touch of a caregiver, a child can have such negative results, but with too much of the caregivers touch, negative results can still occur.
Touch is so important all through our lives. Can you imagine never having someone hug you? Not just romanticly, but to say, Good Job or Try it again next time.
When I stop to think about it. Young parents today have so much research from which to gain knowledge on raising a child well. Parents in the olden days had none of that and just guessed what the child needed. Sometimes they were right and sometimes not.
Go out and find someone who needs a hug.Within reason of course.
Personally, I'm more attached to my mom than to my dad, and I think there is some kind of relation with this and the theory of Harlow. My mom is one who comforts me and cuddles and stuff like that when my dad is more like the one who supports financially. I think he is more like indirect supporter in a way when my mom is a direct supporter who brings me such a big comfort and all. I'm not sure if it's really related, but when I learned about the theory, I thought about this for a moment.
As what Harlow's experiment indicates, the power of touching is incredible. I think it's more than just touching. When parents touches their baby, this touching also includes parents' affection toward the baby and through the touching the baby can feel it. This makes the baby feels sincere trust.