The affection is the inclination towards one thing or person; in the psychological field it is translated as affection or sympathy. From the Latin affectus, it is regularly translated as emotion and is the variation of a body (or mind) after its interaction with another.
It is a mental state or disposition commonly associated with a feeling of love. A display of affection can generate a variety of emotional reactions, ranging from annoyance and dislike to embarrassment or pleasure.
The psychological and physical effects of affect can also be very different in who gives it and who receives it.
The use of the word is currently used almost restrictively to refer to emotional states.
These states can be expressed through words, physical gestures or actions. Affective behavior could be a consequence of nurturing and the hormonal reward system with which the human species has evolved.
Affective need
Affection is considered a human need, an integral part of the development of infants and their passage through life.
It is even considered a primary need, since it is essential for development and survival and cannot be replaced by something else.
The act of carrying out actions to help the other is considered affection, such as raising a child or caring for a sick person. This creates a feeling of well-being for whoever gives it and whoever receives it. Affection is emotional and intangible.
Humans need to give and receive affection. They are predisposed to it because the need to create ties is an essential part of their development.
But the ways of giving and receiving affection can vary from person to person, by personal decisions or social agreements.
Affection is not restricted only to humans and this is one of the arguments in favor of affection being a primary need, because it is also observed in animals.
For example, gorillas and chimpanzees remove lice from each other, resulting in physical contact that is considered affection.
Cats and other felines also tend to groom each other. This is a natural behavior between mothers and their young that extends into adulthood, when they groom each other and also the humans with whom they live.
Social agreements
The extent to which affect is expressed or perceived may vary depending on the social group.
For the cultures of Latino descent (France, Spain, Portugal and Latin America), the physical greeting with a hug and a kiss between friends and family is common, while for North Americans or Asians this demonstration may be excessive and unnecessary.
In contrast, in some cultures in the Pacific, Asia and Africa, it is totally accepted that grandmothers and relatives put the penises of crying babies in their mouths to calm them, and it is not considered sexual but affective behavior.
References
- WordReference - Affection: wordreference.com
- Biopsychology - What is affection ?: biopsychology.org
- Wikipedia - Affection: en.wikipedia.org
- Biopsychology - Affection is a primary human need: biopsychology.org
- Inspirulina - The need for affection: "Affective psychology": inspirulina.com
- Night Thoughts: Reflections of a Sex Therapist - Avodah K. Offit: books.google.com