Bowlby's attachment theory is a theory of psychopathology as well as a theoryof normal development. It contains clear and specific propositions regarding the role of earlyexperience in developmental psychopathology, the importance of ongoing context, and the natureof the developmental process underlying pathology. In particular, Bowlby argued that adaptationis always the joint product of developmental history and current circumstances (never eitheralone). Early experience does not cause later pathology in a linear way; yet, it has specialsignificance due to the complex, systemic, transactional nature of development. Prior history ispart of current context, playing a role in selection, engagement, and interpretation of subsequentexperience and in the use of available environmental supports. Finally, except in very extremecases, early anxious attachment is not viewed as psychopathology itself or as a direct cause ofpsychopathology but as an initiator of pathways probabilistically associated with laterpathology.