Why We Love - Anna Machin | Maiden Mother Matriarch 98
Jul 21, 2024
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Evolutionary anthropologist Anna Machin discusses the origins of parental love, differences between romantic and parental love, maternal love dynamics, and the evolution of fatherhood in humans. Topics include bonding behaviors, neurobiological processes, father's role in child development, and the importance of strong parent-child relationships.
Maternal love is the original form of love developed for survival bonding with infants.
Both mothers and fathers exhibit heightened risk awareness for child protection based in the amygdala.
Humans possess a conscious element in love contributing to prolonged childhood and adolescence, distinct from other species.
Deep dives
Evolution of Love: Maternal Love and Romantic Love
Maternal love is the original form of love, developed to bond mothers with their infants for survival. Romantic love evolved later with the involvement of fathers in childrearing. While neurologically similar, maternal love focuses on nurturing and risk detection, while romantic love may involve sex hormones and different brain activation.
Risk Detection in Parenthood
Mothers and fathers both display heightened risk awareness for protecting their children, based in the amygdala. Mothers often check on their children's well-being more frequently, linked to oxytocin levels. This behavior is also observed in fathers, showing a shared instinct for protecting offspring.
Maternal Love Across Species
Maternal love is not necessarily more intense in humans than in other species. While our conscious level of love differs, the emotional bond is similar. Humans possess a unique conscious element in love, contributing to prolonged childhood and adolescence, distinct from other mammalian species.
Transition to Fatherhood
Fatherhood evolved around half a million years ago due to increased brain size and child dependency. Fathers contribute distinct nurturing styles focusing on challenges, risk-taking behaviors, and resilience. The role of fathers complements maternal nurturing, enhancing children's development.
Importance of Rough and Tumble Play
Rough and tumble play between fathers and children is a culturally efficient bonding strategy in Western societies. This physical play fosters bonding through touch and social reciprocity, releasing bonding hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and beta-endorphin. It aids children in social and risk assessment skills, contributing to their overall development.
My guest today is Dr Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist from the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, and the author of two books that we spoke about today: 'The Life of Dad: The Making of a Modern Father' and 'Why We Love: The Definitive Guide to Our Most Fundamental Need.' We spoke about why maternal love is the …
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