Infant Attachment and the Origins of Dissociative Processes: An Approach Based on the Evolutionary Theory of Multiple Motivational Systems

This article argues that attachment is one among many motivational systems whose bases have been selected by evolutionary processes, and that applications of attachment theory to clinical work require a careful consideration of the dynamic tensions between the attachment system and other motivational systems. The clinical relevance of this argument is illustrated by an analysis of the conflicts and tensions between motivational systems that characterise infant attachment disorganisation and its developmental sequelae.

Attachment disorganisation is the consequence of a conflict between attachment and the survival defence system, while its developmental sequelae (controlling strategies) involve abnormal dynamic tensions between attachment and three other motivational systems regulating competitive ritualised aggression (the social ranking system), caregiving (the caregiving system), and sexuality (the sexual mating system). These conflicts and tensions between different motivational systems explain the links, evidenced by empirical research, between infant attachment disorganisation, dissociation, and adult disorders involving post-traumatic dissociative symptoms.