Which psychological concept emphasizes the impact of early relationships on a child's development?

The concept that emphasizes the impact of early relationships on a child's development is attachment. Attachment theory, primarily developed by John Bowlby and further explored by Mary Ainsworth, suggests that the bonds formed between infants and their primary caregivers play a critical role in shaping their emotional and social development.

Secure attachments, characterized by consistent and responsive caregiving, promote a sense of safety and allow children to explore their environment, leading to healthier emotional regulation and relationships later in life. Conversely, insecure attachments can lead to difficulties in social interactions, self-esteem issues, and various psychological challenges.

While the other concepts—self-actualization, empathy, and mood disorders—are important in psychology, they do not specifically focus on the foundational role that early relationships play in a child's development. Self-actualization pertains to achieving one's full potential, empathy relates to understanding the feelings of others, and mood disorders involve specific psychological conditions affecting emotional states, none of which directly underline the significance of early relational experiences in child development like attachment does.