Proximity is very important to life. Living things grouped together have a higher chance of survival than when they exist alone in a space. Life was designed to be social and this is one of the reasons why humans feel the need to connect with and be approved of others.
One thing that is true of human connectedness, however, is that distance and absence have very key roles to play as well. Sometimes, the more distant you are from people you love and care about, the more willing you are to connect with them, and the more fond you are of them.
Psychologist might want to argue it's got a thing or two to do with the deep underlying greed to have what we don't yet. When the mind sets it's sight on something it wants, it probably doesn't matter if you've got something else that's better. You want that thing.
As regards human connectedness, compassion and respect, there is a correlation. We exploit everything for good and bad, and people will take advantage of compassion for as long as it benefits them. Once humans realize there is a huge tendency that their sins can be overlooked and your standards can be lowered for them, and they are comfortable in knowing that you'll always give them a chance no matter what they do to you, they'll keep playing the sorry card each time, utilizing your forgiveness and compassion to the fullest.
The result? The lower your standards, and the more chances you give, the more respect you lose and even those low standards will be ignored.
Give no chance to people who have no intentions of changing or respecting your standards. They'll never change. Never!