Attachment theoryPsychological ethological theory This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article's factual accuracy is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced. (August 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Male bondingIn ethology and social science, male bonding or male friendship is the formation of close personal relationships, and patterns of friendship or cooperation between males. Male bonding is a form of homosociality, or social connection between individuals of the same gender. Male bonding can occur through various contexts and activities that build emotional closeness, trust, and .
AffectionAffection or fondness is a "disposition or state of mind or body" commonly linked to a feeling or type of love. It has led to multiple branches in philosophy and psychology that discuss emotion, disease, influence, and state of being. Often, "affection" denotes more than mere goodwill or friendship. Writers on ethics generally use the word to refer to distinct states of feeling, both lasting and temporary.
Cross-sex friendshipA cross-sex friendship is a platonic relationship between two non-familial people of differing sex or gender. While this kind of friendship is widespread in heterosexual culture, cross-sex friendships involving mixed sexual orientations often mirror mate-selection preferences and provide opportunities for short-term mating. Sometimes, the relationship may come to be regarded as familial.Social connectionSocial connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued, and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships."Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship."
Reciprocal likingReciprocal liking, also known as reciprocity of attraction, is the act of a person feeling an attraction to someone only upon learning or becoming aware of that person's attraction to themselves. Reciprocal liking has a significant impact on human attraction and the formation of relationships. People that reciprocally have a liking for each other typically initiate or develop a friendship or romantic relationship.
Female bondingIn ethology and social science, female bonding is the formation of a close personal relationship and patterns of friendship, attachment, and cooperation between females.
Social relationA social relation is the fundamental unit of analysis within the social sciences, and describes any voluntary or involuntary interpersonal relationship between two or more conspecifics within and/or between groups. The group can be a language or kinship group, a social institution or organization, an economic class, a nation, or gender.
Human taxonomyH o m i n i d sP a r a n t h r o p u s(million years ago)Human taxonomy is the classification of the human species within zoological taxonomy. The systematic genus, Homo, is designed to include both anatomically modern humans and extinct varieties of archaic humans.
Intimate relationshipPhysical or emotional intimacyIntimate relationships involve emotional or physical closeness.
Trust (social science)Assumption of and reliance on the honesty of another partyTrust in others in Europe in 2015Country-level estimates of trust in 2018Share of people agreeing with the statement "most people can be trusted" in 2014Trust is the belief that another person will do what is expected and is built through repeated consistency.
EmotionConscious subjective experience"Emotional" redirects here. For other uses, see Emotional (other).Sixteen faces expressing the human passions – colored engraving by J. Pass, 1821, after Charles Le BrunEmotions are physical and mental states brought on by neurophysiological and neuropsychological changes, variously associated with subjective experiences such as thoughts, feelings, behavioral responses, and a degree of pleasure or displeasure.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.