The Animal Roots of Human Attachment Theory

• In Event: Families and contexts that shape developmental trajectories

Abstract

John Bowlby’s seminal recognition that traumatic disruption of infant-caregiver bond increases risk of psychopathology transformed the field of psychoanalysis. This work, complemented by the work of Mary Ainsworth, illuminated how early emotional bonds influence long-term psychopathology (Cassidy et al., 2013). Despite Bowlby’s powerful insights on human relationship, the theoretical basis of his work was rooted in the field of animal behavior. The profound influence the ethologists of the time had on his work cannot be overestimated, yet is neglected in the literature. As awareness of psychopathology in other species increases, the animal basis of Bowlby’s theoretical framework takes on new salience for human mental health.

Mid-century psychoanalytic thought was not explicitly comparative nor translational. Following Ainsworth’s focus on individual differences in infant attachment, focus for researchers has mainly been on the cognitive precursors and outcomes of these differences, strictly in humans (Bureau et al., 2009). Additional attachment relationships throughout adulthood have also been explored solely from a human perspective, representing a critical shortcoming in contemporary attachment theory scholarship (Saunders et al., 2015).

In contrast to mainstream psychoanalytic formulations of the time, Bowlby sought out biological models to strengthen his theories. In the pre-war years, he consulted with Konrad Lorenz, a leader in the emerging field of ethology. Later in his career, his association with Robert Hinde provided a framework for his emerging hypotheses. Of particular note is his association with Nobel Laureate Nikolaas Tinbergen. Among Tinbergen’s greatest contributions was his emphasis on understanding the evolutionary, adaptive benefits of behavior and its phylogenetic roots. The influence of this conceptual framework can be found throughout Bowlby’s post-war writing. Notably, Tinbergen became severely depressed following WW2 at which point Bowlby served as his psychoanalyst.

Comparative psychopathology is emerging as a field with relevance for human mental health professionals. Over the past decade, mounting evidence from the veterinary literature supports the existence of pan-mammalian commonalities in response to traumatic maternal separation.
Comparative studies are identifying similar periods of developmental vulnerability to attachment disorder. In addition, similar forms of early adversity from premature maternal separation to neglect are linked to mental health consequences later in life. As such, an opportunity has emerged to understand the behavioral components of attachment in humans through a comparative lens by drawing explicit connections to other species.

To identify potential pan-species patterns and associations between maternal separation and psychopathology, a species-spanning model was developed to highlight the downstream consequences of maternal separation early in life. A review of the veterinary literature was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies connecting psychopathology within populations of three domestic species – cat (Felis catus), dog (Canis familiaris), and horse (Equus caballus) – to premature weaning, which revealed parallels in developmental vulnerabilities across species.

By developing a broad, comparative understanding of attachment, this review serves as an invitation to child development investigators and colleagues in veterinary medicine to spark collaboration across disciplines. By reinforcing its framework, investigators may work to overcome human exceptionalism in the investigation of attachment, heralding a new era of species-spanning analysis.

Authors

• Alexandre Anthony Baly Chaumette, Harvard University
  Presenting Author

• Jessica Yang, Trinity College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Annika Linde, DVM, PhD, MPH, Western University of Health Sciences - California
  Non-Presenting Author

• Barbara N. Horowitz, Harvard University
  Non-Presenting Author