Lecture 8
Relationship Neuroscience
The Neuroscience of Social Connection:
Humans are almost unique as mammals in that we form long-term pair bonding.
A pair bond is a preferential and enduring relationship between adult mates
(‘coupling’).
Pair bonding is rare in mammals, but widespread in humans.
Pair bonding occurs in nearly all human societies, regardless of social
organisation
Even in polygynous marriages, husbands typically feel particularly ‘bonded’ to
one of their wives.
Benefits of Long-Term Pair Bonding:
Encourages male parental investment and division of labour (caring,
provisioning).
Helps offset disproportionately high cost of raising human children (delayed
maturity).
o Modern hunter-gatherers in sub-Saharan Africa lasts on average >2.5 years in
these societies. Requires more calories from the mother
Disadvantages of Long-Term Bonds:
Risky commitment
All fathers must decide whether to invest in their offspring or seek additional
mates
Women are at risk of abandonment. To overcome this females have to be careful
in choosing mates who are trustworthy and do the job of a ‘father’.
There are many social mechanisms to keep people together, for example
marriage.
There are also biological mechanisms
Function of Romantic Love:
A commitment device (Gonzaga et al., 2001):
Romantic love is a commitment device. It promotes and preserves enduring
commitment between two people.
Experience of love motivates approach toward an intimate partner
Outward expression of love communicates commitment to intimate partners.
Love keeps partners together in long-term pair bonds oriented toward raising
vulnerable, dependent offspring.
Predictions:
o Momentary experience of love should relate to approach-related emotions
o Outward expression of love should communicate commitment
o Experience and expression of love should enhance processes that protect and
strengthen pair bonds.
Researchers studied romantic student couples that had been in a couple for
longer than 6 months.
Relationship Neuroscience
The Neuroscience of Social Connection:
Humans are almost unique as mammals in that we form long-term pair bonding.
A pair bond is a preferential and enduring relationship between adult mates
(‘coupling’).
Pair bonding is rare in mammals, but widespread in humans.
Pair bonding occurs in nearly all human societies, regardless of social
organisation
Even in polygynous marriages, husbands typically feel particularly ‘bonded’ to
one of their wives.
Benefits of Long-Term Pair Bonding:
Encourages male parental investment and division of labour (caring,
provisioning).
Helps offset disproportionately high cost of raising human children (delayed
maturity).
o Modern hunter-gatherers in sub-Saharan Africa lasts on average >2.5 years in
these societies. Requires more calories from the mother
Disadvantages of Long-Term Bonds:
Risky commitment
All fathers must decide whether to invest in their offspring or seek additional
mates
Women are at risk of abandonment. To overcome this females have to be careful
in choosing mates who are trustworthy and do the job of a ‘father’.
There are many social mechanisms to keep people together, for example
marriage.
There are also biological mechanisms
Function of Romantic Love:
A commitment device (Gonzaga et al., 2001):
Romantic love is a commitment device. It promotes and preserves enduring
commitment between two people.
Experience of love motivates approach toward an intimate partner
Outward expression of love communicates commitment to intimate partners.
Love keeps partners together in long-term pair bonds oriented toward raising
vulnerable, dependent offspring.
Predictions:
o Momentary experience of love should relate to approach-related emotions
o Outward expression of love should communicate commitment
o Experience and expression of love should enhance processes that protect and
strengthen pair bonds.
Researchers studied romantic student couples that had been in a couple for
longer than 6 months.
