bond

n. a relationship between two or more individuals that signifies trust and alliance. In a social context, the existence of bonds between individuals is such that each person feels an attraction toward the other and each expects their association to continue. In psychotherapy, the bond of a therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is considered beneficial to the treatment. See also pair bond.

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Psychology term of the day

February 17th 2025

sexually dimorphic nucleus

a nucleus of the central nervous system that differs in size between males and females. In humans, for example, a nucleus in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus that synthesizes gonadotropin-releasing hormone tends to be larger and more active in males than in females because gonadotropin release is continuous (it is cyclical in females). In songbirds whose males sing more than females, several brain nuclei associated with both song learning and song production are larger in males than in females.