Four dimensions of attachment are distinguished, based on the psychological literature on children's attachments to others: (1) time with and activities directed toward the attachment object; (2) interest in and affect expressed toward the attachment object; (3) knowledge about the attachment object; and (4) behavioral responsiveness to the attachment object. Considering pets as attachment objects, research bearing on each of these dimensions is reviewed, with particular attention to methodological issues. Future directions for research on each dimension are noted.
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Gail F. Melson (1990) studied this question.
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