This paper focuses on difficulties and possibilities of theory and research on emotional attachment in humans and problems associated with exclusive reliance on the Strange Situation procedure in cross cultural research. After specifying emotional consequences of qualitatively different attachment histories and appropriate ways of assessing their differential adaptiveness, discussion focuses on problematic dimensions of: (1) conceptual issues and biological issues present at birth that are relevant to attachment theory; (2) the Strange Situation as a proper method for assessing quality of attachment within and across cultures; and (3) long-range implications for individuals with different attachment histories in various cultures. In an attached diagram, an attempt is made to facilitate orientation to attachment research, and to indicate the still fuzzy boundaries of the domain. Concluding remarks concern cross-cultural validity, causes of possible failure to find long-range implications, and future possibilities of attachment research. (RH)