Affectional Bond - Five Criteria

Five Criteria

Bowlby referred to attachment bonds as a specific type of "affectional" bond, as described by him and developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth. She established five criteria for affectional bonds between individuals, and a sixth criterion for attachment bonds:

  • An affectional bond is persistent, not transitory.
  • An affectional bond involves a particular person who is not interchangeable with anyone else.
  • An affectional bond involves a relationship that is emotionally significant.
  • The individual wishes to maintain proximity or contact with the person with whom he or she has an affectional tie.
  • The individual feels sadness or distress at involuntary separation from the person.

An attachment bond has an additional criterion: the person seeks security and comfort in the relationship.

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