# Preliminary experimental support for a vulnerability theory of emotional bonding

## TL;DR

This study explores how emotional bonds form based on vulnerability, measured by need and empathy, showing stronger bonds when these traits are high.

## Contribution

The study introduces a vulnerability theory of emotional bonding and experimentally validates its core prediction.

## Key findings

- Emotional bonds were strongest when both need and empathy were high.
- Low need and low empathy resulted in the weakest emotional bonds.
- The study proposes a formal predictive model for emotional bonding based on empathy and need.

## Abstract

In an internet-based study with a diverse group of 1000 adult participants in the US, support was found for a “vulnerability theory of emotional bonding” (VTEB), according to which the strength of a new emotional bond can be predicted by measures of the vulnerability that each of two persons shows with respect to one another, where vulnerability is defined by measures of states of need and empathy. In a pre-manipulation-post-manipulation design, participants were first asked questions regarding their current states of need and empathy, then shown a photograph of a male confederate and asked questions regarding their feelings toward him. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of four groups in which they viewed a video showing the confederate responding to a set of questions about cancer but showing, in each of the four respective groups, reactions indicating either (1) low need and low empathy, (2) low need and high empathy, (3) high need and low empathy, or (4) high need and high empathy, following which participants were again asked questions regarding their feelings toward the confederate. As predicted, new bonds were weakest when need and empathy states were low, and highest when need and empathy states were high. The study suggests that further research may make it possible to develop a formal and predictive theory of emotional bonding of the form B = f (N1, N2, E1, E2), where E and N are measures of empathy and need, respectively, and B is the strength of the resulting bond.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-24119-z.