ed children, whether in their own homes or not, are a source of social infection as real and serious as are carriers of diphtheria and typhoid". Bowlby's report to the WHO had a great deal of influence among health care officials, social workers, and parents. But the conclusions he came to were very controversial and caused arguments right from the very beginning.
             Contrary to behaviourists and Freudians, who thought that physical comfort was a caregiver's primary concern, Bowlby (1951) suggested that emotional care was at least equally important. He states that "maternal attachment is as essential for healthy psychological development as vitamins and minerals are for physical health". Bowlby (1951) also proposed the concept of monotropy, that is the need for one central caregiver, usually the mother, but alternatively the father or another person. Finally, Bowlby (1951) felt that there was a critical period in the formation of attachments.
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