The Wild West: Why attachment theory was never universal.

We advocate for decolonizing developmental theory beyond sample expansion. Using attachment theory as an example, we demonstrate how current theories misrepresent even Western populations, where allo-parental care is a necessity. We argue that focusing on adaptive challenges, not behavior, will support open-ended theories with universal relevance. This requires reflexivity, transparency, and centering indigenous methods prior to proposing any universal developmental mechanisms.