Neurobiology of Human Attachments
Our research into the neurobiology of affiliation is guided by our model on “biobehavioral synchrony” which maintains that systems that sustain bonding mature in the context of the mother-infant bond through mechanisms of synchrony and expand across time and relationships. Such bonding-related systems underpin the human capacity for resilience and shape social abilities and the social brain, supporting empathy, collaboration, and social responsibility.
Our approach is behavior-based and system-wide. We developed reliable macro and micro coding tools to describe affiliative behavior across multiple relationships: parent-child from infancy to adulthood, couples, friends, therapists, and even out-group “enemies”, which are now used in 30 countries world-wide. Our tools enable coding interactions of interacting partners as well as affiliated groups (e.g., families, teams).
We utilize a wide variety of neurobiological tools to tap into multiple systems that support the human capacity to form and maintain affiliative bonds.
Hormones – Our in-house hormonal lab measures a range of affiliation-related hormones, focusing on the role of oxytocin, but also other endocrine biomarkers of affiliation, reward, stress, immunity, and sex hormones.
Brain – The brain mechanisms implicated in bonding is studied using fMRI, MEG, and EEG in parents, children, romantic partners, and friends.
Brain-to-Brain Synchrony (hyperscanning) – How two brains synchronize their activity is assessed during live social moments using double-EEG and complex computational methods. We also examine the effects of intervening factors (such as chemosignals) on inter-brain processes.
Microbiome – How the microbiome supports attachment and links with social signaling molecules to foster sociality, stress management, and mental health.
Cultural sensitivity – Bonding-related social behavior and its associated biology is studied from a cultural perspective. Our conceptual models and coding scheme is used world-wide we are involved in the implementation of multiple attachment-related culture-sensitive interventions.
