Final answer:
Oxytocin is called the "love hormone" because it influences social bonding and the milk ejection reflex in lactation. Studies by John Bowlby and Harry Harlow show its role in attachment and infant development. It also influences connections to religious figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxytocin is often referred to as the "love hormone" because of its significant influence on social behaviors such as parental bonding, feelings of love, and the sexual response cycle. During and after birth, oxytocin plays a crucial role in female reproductive functions, such as the milk ejection reflex in lactation, where it helps to contract milk duct cells and facilitate breastfeeding. Furthermore, studies suggest that oxytocin enhances the parent-newborn attachment and contributes to the social bonds formed throughout an individual's life.
Attachment theory, propelled by psychologists like John Bowlby, emphasizes the importance of a caregiver's responsiveness and mutually enjoyable interactions for the healthy development of a child. Harlow's studies with monkeys further demonstrated that comfort and security are fundamental to maternal-infant bonding, transcending the basic need for nourishment. The complex interplay between oxytocin, attachment, and the human need for interpersonal relationships supports the idea that oxytocin could influence attachments to religious deities and figures in the sphere of faith.