affection

Affection is a positive feeling of fondness, warmth, and care directed toward someone or something. It is a component of social bonding and can arise in familial, romantic, friendship, caregiver–recipient, and pet relationships. Affection ranges from mild tenderness to strong emotional closeness, and it may be expressed without words or with explicit expressions of appreciation. While affection overlaps with love, it is often considered a more general, situational feeling that motivates kind and supportive actions.

Expressions of affection include physical touch (such as hugging, kissing, or patting), proximity and body language, facial expressions and tone of voice, and verbal affirmations or acts of service. Through these expressions, affection signals safety, trust, and commitment, and it can reinforce cooperation, caregiving, and shared identity. Affection also contributes to emotional well-being by reducing stress and increasing feelings of belonging.

Developmentally, affectionate interactions support secure attachment in infancy and healthy socioemotional development. In adulthood, expressions of affection contribute to relationship satisfaction and social support networks. Cultural norms influence both how affection is shown and how it is interpreted; some cultures encourage frequent overt displays, while others favor restraint or indirect communication.

In research, affection is studied within attachment theory, social neuroscience, and relationship psychology. It is measured through self-report scales, observational coding of behavior, and physiological indicators such as skin conductance or heart rate in response to affectionate cues. Abnormalities in affection can appear in certain developmental or psychiatric conditions, while deficits or excesses in affection can affect interpersonal functioning.