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How Early Experiences Shape Attraction, Partner Preferences, and Attachment Dynamics

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Bases of Adult Attachment

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors discuss the impact of early experiences on attraction and attachment in adulthood. First, the authors review three theoretical perspectives that provide potential explanations for how early experiences might shape what people find physically attractive. Specifically, the authors review research and theory on sexual imprinting, mere exposure, and optimal outbreeding. Next, the authors discuss how early experiences may impact the formation of an attachment bond in adulthood, beyond the effects of physical attraction per se. Finally, the authors present a template-matching model that integrates multiple theoretical perspectives to explain how early experiences impact both mate preferences and attachment dynamics in adulthood.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In this chapter we will often claim that people are attracted to others who resemble their parents. Just to be clear: We mean that Person A is attracted to someone who resembles Person A’s parents. We do not mean that Person A is attracted to someone (i.e., Person B) who resembles Person B’s parents.

  2. 2.

    We should point out that in much of the research we review, the “caregivers” are parents, but we do not wish to restrict our discussion to parents. Other people such as nannies, grandparents, teachers, and siblings also play an important role in early social and emotional development and are potential candidates for the ideas we discuss in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA

    Marie E. Heffernan & R. Chris Fraley

Authors
  1. Marie E. Heffernan
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  2. R. Chris Fraley
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Correspondence to Marie E. Heffernan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Vivian Zayas

  2. Psychology Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Cindy Hazan

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Heffernan, M., Fraley, R. (2015). How Early Experiences Shape Attraction, Partner Preferences, and Attachment Dynamics. In: Zayas, V., Hazan, C. (eds) Bases of Adult Attachment. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9622-9_6

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