From psychology and social work to instagram and pop psychology, attachment theory has become a powerful way of understanding how people build and sustain relationships. Originally developed to explain what kind of care a baby needs from his mother, attachment theory makes a powerful promise: that a stable, uninterrupted attachment with a primary caregiver early in life will set a child on a path to secure, healthy relationships throughout his life. A closer look at the foundational research, however, uncovers a murkier story. This talk will unpack the foundational research at the origins of attachment theory and point the way toward more nuanced ways of understanding how babies and caregivers form connections.

We’ll be in the lower art gallery, and we’ll have refreshments. Please join us!