The influence of nature and nurture on psychological growth is visible in children at a very young age. The relationship between an infant and its parent, usually its mother, gives rise to powerful emotions such as love, fear, care, trust, and dependence. These bonds, as John Bowlby described them, are formed in the womb and are inherited through genes. They shape our personalities and help us develop into adults.
Bowlby developed his theories in England after the Second World War. He observed the effects on children who had been evacuated during the war and became concerned about the effect that separation from mothers could have on them. He believed that children needed a stable, consistent relationship with one person, the ‘primary caregiver’, in order to develop normally. In some cases, he also noted that a lack of contact between parent and child resulted in mental health problems later in life.
