Question 29

Sigmund Freud developed the concept of oral pleasure as being the base of attachment between an infant and a mother.

Freud's theory of psychosexual development identifies the oral stage as crucial in forming early attachments, particularly between the infant and its mother, through the pleasure derived from oral activities.

A) Erik Erikson

Erikson is known for his psychosocial development theory, which emphasizes stages of psychological growth throughout an individual’s life, but he did not specifically focus on the concept of oral pleasure or its role in attachment during infancy.

B) Sigmund Freud

Freud proposed that during the oral stage of development, which occurs from birth to approximately 18 months, an infant's primary interaction and attachment to their mother is through oral stimulation. This is a foundational concept in his broader theory of attachment and personality development.

C) Margaret and Harry Harlow

The Harlows are renowned for their studies on attachment using rhesus monkeys, highlighting the importance of comfort and social interaction over mere nourishment, but they did not develop the concept of oral pleasure as a basis for mother-infant attachment.

D) John Bowlby

Bowlby is recognized for his attachment theory, which emphasizes the importance of a secure base for a child's emotional and social development. However, his work does not include the specific focus on oral pleasure as Freud described.

Conclusion

Freud's identification of oral pleasure as a critical element of early attachment establishes him as the primary figure associated with this concept. In contrast, Erikson, the Harlows, and Bowlby, while influential in their respective theories of development, do not address oral pleasure in the context of mother-infant attachment, making Freud the correct answer.