This film shows the effect upon infants of prolonged absence of the mother. Several babies in a foundling home are shown. Early behavior, when the mother is still available, is compared to the child's expression and behavior once the mother has been away for some time. A smiling infant's affect becomes flat, and the infant shows visible distress. The film indicates that if infants are under a year old and the mother returns after an interval of fewer than three months, the babies tend to recover rapidly. If the absence is prolonged beyond this period, attachment becomes extremely difficult. The child become passive and apathetic and suffers damage to the personality. The film suggests that it is the emotional climate provided by the mother that allows the child's mind to develop normally.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Copyright Holder:
Source: Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1974, 1975, 1976; Research date: 20200803;
Extent:
024 min.
Color:
Black and white
Sound:
Silent
Credits:
René A. Spitz, in collaboration with Katherine M. Wolf.
Provenance:
Received: May 18, 1994 as a donation from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh.