primacyvaluing
Primacy valuing refers to the psychological and sociological concept of placing a higher importance on the earliest experiences, events, or relationships in one’s life, often shaping core beliefs, behaviors, and emotional responses. This phenomenon is rooted in the idea that initial impressions, particularly during childhood, establish foundational patterns that influence later development. The term draws from theories in developmental psychology, such as those proposed by Erik Erikson, who emphasized the significance of early stages in identity formation, and John Bowlby, whose attachment theory highlights the lasting impact of early caregiver relationships.
Research suggests that primacy valuing operates through cognitive and emotional mechanisms, where early experiences become reference
The concept intersects with memory studies, as primacy effects in recall—where initial information is more readily