Attachment theory grows up: a developmental approach to pair bonds.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Sociology

Background:

• Bowlby's Attachment Theory (AT) is increasingly applied to adult sexual pair bonds.
• Research largely supports AT's tenets regarding adult relationships and security.
• Neuroscience findings suggest shared neural underpinnings between infant and adult attachment bonds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of AT to adult pair bonds.
• To identify controversies and empirical questions arising from this application.
• To propose future research directions for understanding adult attachment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on AT and adult pair bonds.
• Integration of findings from developmental psychology and neuroscience.
• Identification of key theoretical and empirical questions.

Main Results:

• Adults derive security and optimal functioning from committed, loving relationships, mirroring infant attachment patterns.
• Shared neural architecture and physiology exist between parent-child and sexual pair bonds.
• Controversies include the role of platonic friendships and kin in fulfilling attachment functions.

Conclusions:

• The application of AT to adult pair bonds is largely supported by empirical evidence and neuroscience.
• Further research should explore the developmental trajectory of pair bonds and the functions of non-sexual relationships.
• A developmental approach is crucial for advancing understanding of adult attachment and pair bonding.