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The experience of being "in love" may be uniquely human; however, rodent studies elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying stages of bonding that are conserved across species. Pair bonds established between individuals rely on a series of processes to form and maintain that are facilitated by OT, DA, and AVP signaling. Pair bonding likely evolved from bonds between mothers and their offspring, with early-life parental nurturing setting the stage for later relationship development. There are several progressions of pair bonding, beginning with initial attraction to another individual and a choice to pursue that individual. The formation of a pair bond is facilitated by mating, and once a bond has been established, several behaviors emerge to prevent the disruption of that bond. Separation from a partner can lead to physiological and psychological signs of stress; however, evidence suggests an association between long-term companionship and positive health outcomes. Research in rodent models of social behavior allows for the use of more invasive and controlled techniques than are available in research with human subjects. For example, rodent research utilizes site- and cell-type-specific manipulations or recordings (e.g., pharmacological infusion, chemogenetics, optogenetics, electrophysiology) in conjunction with behavioral assays and post-mortem tissue analyses. Need Assignment Help?