Alternative uses of primates and carnivores in the reconstruction of early hominid behavior

The father(to)child affiliative bond: convergent evolution with the canid analogue

Primate homologues, especially from the African great apes, can usually be successfully utilized to form comparisons with the human condition. However, the man(to)child pair-bond is not paralleled by any terrestrial primate nor even many mammals. Hence, knowledge of primate behavior would not be predictive of the pan-human social father. It is suggested that female choices of mating partners shifted in the direction of a canid analogue in that men's motivations to share resources with the female and to exhibit paternalistic behaviors were positively selected. Accordingly, it is argued that, for humans, convergent evolution occurred which trended toward the canid template. Consequently, it would be predicted that, compared to other terrestrial primates, the neuro-hormonal basis for the mother-child affiliative bond would be similar, but the basis for man(to)child affiliative bond would be dissimilar.

Perspectives on Human Attachment (Pair Bonding): Eve's Unique Legacy of a Canine Analogue

The mother-child bond is undoubtedly homologous with that of other primates (and mammals). However, the man-woman pair bond and man(to)child pair bond are not paralleled by any terrestrial primate nor many mammals. Hence, knowledge of primate behavior would not be predictive of the pan-human (i) social father and (ii) the extended pair bond between a man and woman (with the cultural overlay of marriage). It is suggested that female choice of mating partner shifted in the direction of a canid analogue in which men's motivations to share resources with the female and to exhibit paternalistic behaviors were positively selected. Accordingly, it would be predicted that, compared to other terrestrial primates, the neuro-hormonal bases for the mother-child affiliative bond would be similar, but the bases of man-woman affiliative bond and the man(to)child affiliative bond would be dissimilar.