Amae.

About Amae

Amae is a Japanese concept referring to a form of emotional dependence or indulgent reliance on others, often characterized by a desire to be loved, cared for, or indulged by someone perceived as an authority figure or caregiver. The term originates from the verb amaeru (甘える), meaning "to depend on another's benevolence" or "to act in a way that presumes indulgence." It was introduced as a psychological and cultural framework by Japanese psychoanalyst Takeo Doi in his 1971 book The Anatomy of Dependence, where he explored amae as a key to understanding interpersonal relationships and social behavior in Japanese culture. Its universality and interpretation remain subjects of debate among scholars.