Infancy in Uganda

Infancy in Uganda: Infant Care and the Growth of Love by Mary D. Salter Ainsworth, a pioneering study on early childhood attachment, returns in this special reprint edition, complete with a new introduction that situates Ainsworth’s work amid contemporary debates and critiques. It explores the dynamics of mother-infant attachment within the Ganda community, analysing how cultural caregiving practices shape early emotional bonds.

Ainsworth’s meticulous observations of Ganda families in the 1950s, initially praised for their insights into maternal-infant bonds, have since become a touchpoint in discussions about the importance of cross-cultural observations, the universality of attachment patterns, and evolving caregiving norms. Through detailed case studies, Ainsworth examines the methods of infant care used by the Ganda during the first 15 months of a child's life and considers the effects of these methods on the child's psychosocial development. It delves into the evolution of attachment research, addressing how modern studies question early findings, particularly in the context of cross-cultural diversity and changing family dynamics.

This classic edition showcases Ainsworth’s findings and contextualises them through the lens of current psychological research and societal changes, highlighting how attachment theory remains influential—and controversial—across disciplines. This book will be invaluable to psychologists, anthropologists, educators, and anyone interested in the development of attachment theory, as well as those examining cultural contexts in child-rearing practices.

Mary D. Salter Ainsworth (1913–1999) was Professor Emerita in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia. She was a pioneering developmental psychologist best known for her groundbreaking work on attachment theory. Ainsworth’s most influential work emerged from her observations in Uganda, detailed in this book. Ainsworth’s contributions earned her numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions. Her work remains foundational in psychology, impacting fields as diverse as psychotherapy, social work, and education, and continues to shape attachment research and theory today.