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Evolutionary theory and social diversity are essential for understanding the developmental origins of human social cognition and attachment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2026

Zanna Clay Open the ORCID record for Zanna Clay [Opens in a new window]  and
Catherine Crockford Open the ORCID record for Catherine Crockford [Opens in a new window]
Zanna Clay*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Durham University, UK zanna.e.clay@durham.ac.uk
Catherine Crockford
Affiliation:
Institute of Cognitive Sciences, CNRS, Lyon, France crockford@isc.cnrs.fr
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Bard et al. rightly call out Western-centric bias to champion Worldwide, in-Situ, Local and Diverse developmental research. Yet this inclusivity must be grounded in evolutionary theory to model development. Comparative evidence strengthens accounts of shared intentionality and attachment. Integrating within-species variation through WILD with between-species variation engaging evolutionary perspectives will offer more robust explanations of universal and diverse developmental pathways.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e265
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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