thumb|150px|right|alt=Simple bomb graphic with a love heart in the middle|While used for positive and negative purposes, love bombing is identified as a possible part of a cycle of abuse.
Love bombing is an attempt to influence a person by demonstrations of attention and affection. In 2011, clinical psychologist Oliver James advocated love bombing in his book Love Bombing: Reset Your Child's Emotional Thermostat, as a means for parents to rectify emotional problems in their children. The technique is also often used by romance scammers and others with nefarious intentions who seek to manipulate a victim and create a feeling of trust and connection.
Definition and analysis
The expression "love bombing" was coined by members of the Unification Church of the United States during the 1970s and was also used by members of the Family International (previously known as Children of God). Psychology professor Margaret Singer reported on the concept. In her 1996 book, Cults in Our Midst, she writes:
Abusive relationships
Modern social media can intensify the effect of love bombing since it gives the abuser nearly constant contact and communication with the victim.
The expression has been used to describe the tactics used by pimps and gang members to control their victims.
Benign occurrences
Excessive attention and affection does not constitute love bombing if there is no intent or pattern of further abuse. Archer explains:
British author and psychologist Oliver James recommended love bombing as a technique for parents to help their troubled children. He described it as, "dedicating one-on-one time spoiling and lavishing your child with love, and, within reason, pandering to their every wish." In 2011 Heidi Scrimgeour, a reporter for The Daily Express, tried the technique with her son and reported:
See also
- Brainwashing
- Emotional blackmail
- Honey trapping
- Love jihad
- Narcissism
- Sexual grooming
- Situationship
- Sycophancy
- Superficial charm