A toy capable of exhibiting bonding behaviour towards a user and a method of simulating such behaviour is provided. The toy includes input sensors (18) for receiving interactive input from users, output apparatus (24) for communicating with users, a processor (12) and memory (16) containing machine instructors causing the processor (12) to receive interactive input, process received input and send control signals to the output apparatus. The processor (12) classifies received input as either positive or negative and adjusts an accumulated input stored in the memory (16) in accordance with the classification. The control signals, in turn, are dependent on the accumulated input.