Final answer:
Attachment theory suggests that a healthy attachment is formed through responsiveness to the child's needs and engaging in enjoyable interactions. Ronald's active engagement and sensitivity to Olivia's needs may have led her to form an attachment with him rather than the nanny. However, individual temperament and cultural influences can also influence attachment, which may explain why Olivia attached to Ronald despite spending less time with him.
Step-by-step explanation:
Attachment theory, proposed by John Bowlby, states that infants form a strong bond with their primary caregiver, usually the mother, in order to have normal social and emotional development. However, the amount of time spent with a caregiver is not the sole factor in attachment. The theory also suggests that responsiveness to the child's needs and engaging in mutually enjoyable interactions are key factors in forming a healthy attachment.
In the case of Ronald and Olivia, although the nanny spends more time with Olivia and provides most of her meals, Ronald becomes Olivia's main attachment figure. This can be explained by the fact that Ronald is responsive to Olivia's needs and actively engages with her. He provides a secure base for her to explore her surroundings and is sensitive to her emotions. On the other hand, if the nanny was unresponsive and inattentive to Olivia's needs, she may have formed an avoidant attachment to the nanny.
Critics of learning theory point out that individual temperament and cultural influences also play a role in attachment. A child's temperament can influence their attachment style, and attachment may vary across different cultures. These factors were not accounted for in Bowlby's research and can contribute to why Olivia attached to Ronald instead of her nanny.