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All bonds are not alike: A psychoendocrine evaluation of infant attachment
Author(s) -
Gaudin Sabrina,
Chaillou Elodie,
Wycke MarieAnne,
Cornilleau Fabien,
Moussu Chantal,
Calandreau Ludovic,
Lainé AnneLyse,
Nowak Raymond
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.21552
Subject(s) - psychology , oxytocin , distress , preference , basal (medicine) , developmental psychology , object (grammar) , social psychology , clinical psychology , endocrinology , neuroscience , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , insulin , economics , microeconomics
Characteristics of attachment were assessed in peer‐ and object‐reared lambs, and compared to mothered subjects by taking into consideration distress, proximity seeking, and exploration during two separation‐reunion tests in both the familiar and a novel environment. Plasma cortisol and oxytocin were assayed as physiological indicators of stress and being comforted during the separation‐reunion test. Rewarding properties of the familiar figures were also determined in a conditioned place preference‐like paradigm. Between‐group analysis revealed the existence of secure attachment with the mother, alteration of secure attachment with the peer and weaker attachment with the object. Weaker attachment was expressed by a lack of distress during separation in the home pen and no preference for the place conditioned with the familiar object. Elevated basal plasma oxytocin levels, but not cortisol, observed in maternally deprived lambs were more likely linked to the absence of a maternal figure rather than social comfort during reunion.