From the cradle to the grave: Relationship dynamics over time and across situations

Attachment theory was originally conceptualized by John Bowlby as a theory that characterizes social interactions “from the cradle to the grave.” However, the majority of attachment research is conducted on young adults–a time before which many attachment-related transitions happen. This talk takes a lifespan perspective and will examine how relationships change over time and across the lifespan. I draw on cross-sectional, cross-cultural, and longitudinal data to give a comprehensive picture for the conditions under which attachment changes are most likely. The talk will conclude with a discussion on the enduring influence of early relationships.

We live in a time of flux. What causes societies to change? Can we predict what’s coming next? In this talk I argue that patterns of cultural change can often be understood as reactions to changes in key ecological dimensions (i.e. resource abundance, pathogen prevalence, population density). I present data from a line of research using time series methods and archival and big data to assess the causes of patterns of cultural fluctuations in phenomena including individualism, gender equality, reproductive strategy, and mood. I also present concrete forecasts for future levels of these variables.