What does the term "asocial" refer to in the context of early attachment?

In the context of early attachment, the term "asocial" refers specifically to children having no preference for social stimuli. This can be understood within the framework of attachment theory, which posits that initial stages of a child's development do not involve strong social responses or preferences. During the earliest weeks of life, infants typically do not favor human interaction over inanimate objects or stimuli, indicating they do not exhibit social preferences.

As development progresses, children begin to demonstrate preferences for social interactions, particularly with caregivers, as they form attachments. The asocial stage is characterized by a lack of clear social engagement, where infants may not react differently to human figures compared to non-social stimuli. This concept is foundational for understanding the gradual progression from asocial behavior to more complex social interactions as children grow.