Early Sensory Learning and Its Relationship to Attachment Behaviors

Abstract

In early ontogeny altricial species need to maintain close proximity to the caregiver in order to survive. In mammalian species, early-life learning experiences occur in utero through chemosensory cues present in the amniotic fluid and in breast-milk during postnatal life. These stimuli are provided by the mother's diet. This review offers evidence on the early-life learnings of human babies and rats, and thus how attachment behavior and eating habits become affected.

Keywords

• Learning
• Sensory Cues
• Attachment
• Ontogeny