Contact Comfort
Contact comfort refers to the innate pleasure and sense of security that individuals, particularly infants, experience when they are in close physical contact with another person.
Overview
Contact comfort is a term that was coined by psychologist Harry Harlow during his series of groundbreaking studies on attachment in rhesus monkeys. Harlow observed that infant monkeys placed in isolating and distressing conditions sought solace by clinging onto a soft, cloth surrogate mother instead of a wire-mesh surrogate that provided food.
Characteristics
When individuals experience contact comfort, they typically exhibit the following characteristics:
- Pleasure: The physical touch and closeness with another individual elicits feelings of joy and contentment.
- Security: Being in physical contact provides a sense of safety and comfort, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Emotional Regulation: The nurturing touch helps individuals regulate their emotions and soothes them during times of distress.
- Bonding: Contact comfort plays a pivotal role in developing secure attachments between infants and their caregivers, promoting trust and healthy relationships.
Significance
Contact comfort is essential for the physical, emotional, and social development of individuals, particularly during infancy. It can influence various aspects of an individual’s well-being, including their ability to form healthy relationships, regulate emotions, and cope with stress.
Examples
Examples of contact comfort include a baby falling asleep while being cuddled by a caregiver, a child seeking a parent’s hug after experiencing a fright, or partners holding hands to comfort each other in times of distress.