PARTheory's
personality subtheory begins with the probably untestable assumption that humans have developed over the course of evolution (see
phylogenetic perspective) the enduring, biologically based emotional need for positive response from people most important to them (
attachment figures). The need for positive response includes an emotional wish, desire, or yearning (whether consciously recognized or not) for comfort, support, care, concern, nurturance, and the like. In adulthood the need becomes more complex and differentiated to include the wish (recognized or unrecognized) for positive regard from
significant others and attachment figures. When individuals act on the emotionally-felt need for positive response (e.g., for comfort, nurturance, support, or love) the resulting behavior is generally called
dependence.
