A Summary of Inter-Species Relational Theory

Inter-species relational theory posits that meaningful connections between species emerge from a dynamic interplay of trust, communication, and shared understanding over time, influenced by the subjective perception of resources and the context of working and emotional relationships. The fundamental building blocks of these concepts are defined by time and proximity, consistency of interactions from which predictability arises that further helps the development of trust and communication, the adaptability of each player to understand and adapt to the needs and desires of the other, and a willingness to accept alternative forms of communication and social bonding strategies. 

The following theoretical principles apply to all species, but the social bonding underpinnings relate to species and individuals who are, by evolution or individually inclined towards social behaviors. 

The main pillars of this theory can be broken into three categories: Trust, Communication, and Emotional Bonding. 

Trust

Trust serves as the foundation for all relational interactions since no interactions can occur to develop a relationship unless trust is built. The factors contributing to trust can be further broken down into the elements of time, spatial proximity (or perceived spatial proximity), and predictability through consistent interactions. All of these are foundations of concepts of safety which begins with physical safety prior to experiencing emotional and social safety. Time and spatial proximity first must be initiated at a level that is just outside the zone with which the individual would otherwise feel threatened (e.g. the “flight zone”). This differs for every individual and, if the proximity is not maintained to the degree of the individual’s comfort, the individual will likely flee or, if feeling cornered, could exhibit behaviors indicating a need to fight off a potential threat. If the individual has been in the domestic world and experienced circumstances where exhibiting specific behaviors is likely to decrease future aversive interactions, the individual may also display these behaviors (known as “please” or “appease”). The new individual must stay outside of that specific space in order to build on trust. The physical presence of the new individual in this space (Proximity) for extended periods of time (Time) and repeated over a series of new interactions (each time they see one another this same process is repeated) (Consistency), provides Predictability for physical safety. 

Once initial physical safety is established, the spatial proximity can grow smaller, with both individuals determining their own level of safety within the spatial proximity. This may mean that the two become physically closer and physical trust needs to once again be established each time the physical proximity becomes closer. 

These same stages are also at play within families and between mother/father and offspring. In these settings, however, the young is often unaware or unable to facilitate their own choices and the interactions that take place during this time can shape how the individual builds trust when they grow older. 

Communication

The development of relationships between individuals must also include the creating of a common language with which to understand the needs and desires of the other and to express one’s own desires and needs. This can only be achieved once trust has been achieved.  Communication can be vocal (or verbal), behavioral (including touch, proximity, and physical interactions), or olfactory, and may also include senses that are unique to the individual species. Basic communication tools are first defined by the species and later shaped by the unique experiences of the individual animal based on communication strategies within and without their own species. Previous success or failures with communication strategies will shape how they approach new interactions. In the case of domestic species, it can be helpful to understand their previous experiences with communicating prior to attempting to understand or interpret new attempts at communication. 

The development of communication between two individuals is built over time and begins with a series of consistent interactions that give meaning to a single behavior, behavioral interaction, or others cue. Once a series of interactions has been built up, the series of interactions becomes a language around which each individual can communicate their own needs and desires in a way that the other comprehends. With the exception of dogs and humans where dogs were bred to both understand and provide communication behaviors that align with those of humans, all other inter-species relationships require the building of a language. 

This building of communication further builds on trust and continues the process of give and take and predictability within the trust foundation. This specific way of building a predictable pattern of communication and response facilitates the development of an economic system that creates a working relationship between the two individuals. Trust may need to be broken and rebuilt over the course of this process which can be described in the “Rupture and Repair” process of relationship building. 

It is in this pillar that we also take into consideration the role of resources and what resources are considered scarce versus plentiful for the individual and how trust and social and emotional bonding play out with regards to communication. For some species food is a restricted resource whereas, like in herbivores, food is not a restricted resource, but time, space, and companions may be. The types of communication that occur within these spaces is context-specific and plays a role in how the relationship develops based on contextual elements. 

Emotional Bonding

Emotional Bonding is the third stage and final part of the theory. This is where all of the elements of trust and communication are at play and continue to be broken and reestablished throughout the duration of the relationship. In the emotional bonding pillar, we start to look at how emotional bonding develops over the developmental stages (at the species level) as well as for the individual and how communication tools of social and emotional bonding help shape the communication used to initiate, respond, and foster these relationships. 

Within the emotional and social bonding, it’s important to consider the motivation of each individual to engage at this level and when and how they initiate the behaviors that align with this pillar. These may include fear and stress (Tend and Befriend), chronic coping or loneliness (as a need for social connection rather than a desire for specific companions), or specific desire for companionship with a chosen individual. The context for the development of social and emotional bonding needs to be considered to determine the motivation and desire for social connection which can help with understanding the behaviors expressed in this stage. 

Play also plays a huge role in emotional bonding and inter-species play takes into consideration all of the above elements. 

Additional considerations

The underlying behaviors for each of these categories is primarily driven by genetic predisposition at the species level and further changed by choices and experiences of the individual.  The role of stress and physiological arousal at each stage cannot be underestimated as does the individual experiences of each player with regards to their history with each pillar and stage. 

This is a summary of Interspecies Relational Theory. Each of the pillars and stages described is complex with additional elements that play key roles in the development of relationships between animal species as well as between humans and nonhuman species. 

Citations and references to come.