Pair bonding is a term used in biology to describe the strong affinity that develops between a mating pair in some species, often leading to the production and rearing of offspring and potentially a lifelong bond. Pair bonding is a behavioral and physiological bond between two mated individuals, and is rare among non-human primates. Humans also engage in social pair bonding, where two individuals will form a close relationship that does not involve sex.
Pair bonds are created by a combination of social interaction and biological factors including neurotransmitters like oxytocin, vasopressin, and dopamine. According to evolutionary psychologists, there are several varieties of pair bonds, including:
- Social monogamy: A lifelong socially monogamous relationship.
- Sexual monogamy: A stage of mating interaction in socially monogamous species.
- Emotional monogamy: A close emotional relationship with one partner.
- Polygyny: One male mating with multiple females.
- Polyandry: One female mating with multiple males.
Humans can experience all of the above-mentioned varieties of pair bonds, and these bonds can be temporary or last a lifetime. It is important to note that pair bonds are a biological phenomenon and are not equivalent to the human social institution of marriage. Married couples are not necessarily pair bonded, and marriage may be a consequence of pair bonding and vice versa.
