How to explain the strength of the bond? The normative missing link

Key Points

• This commentary aims to examine the representations of social relationships and the underlying rules that sustain them.
• Reflected on Ashley Thomas's perspective regarding social relationships.
• Discussed the normative rules that constitute social bonds.
• Explored connections between intuitive sociology and empirical research.
• Emphasized the gap between developmental studies and formal sociology.
• Suggested that understanding normative rules can enhance sociological insights.
• Proposed a framework for bridging developmental intuitions and empirical sociology.