Love Love as an emotion Love is tied

Love

Love as an emotion • Love is tied to a basic emotion—lust • Love also rises to the level of more advanced (complicated, learned) emotions – Love for mother (and, maybe, dad) – Love for a romantic partner – Love for humankind (agape)

Stages of love 1. Lust 2. Attraction 3. Attachment

Lust

Lust • Least advanced emotion • Biologically driven – Supports mating and procreation – Driven by testosterone and estrogen – Endorphins released that provide intense pleasurable sensations • Infatuation—your lover is perfect

Attraction

Attraction (lovesick phase) • May lose your appetite, daydream about your lover • Dopamine, noreprinephrine and serotonin are released into your system • May simulate depression • Power struggles—may try to shape your lover into your idea of perfection • Feelings of infatuation fade • Jealousy, possessiveness are demonstrated

Attachment

Attachment • Acceptance of person as a whole—with the warts • Commitment • Oxytocin and Vasopressin are released during sex and appear to maintain the relationship • Likely to occur only with those who share important beliefs, morals, etc. • Some evidence of a genetic tendency toward attachment or lack of it

Sociobiology • Women want commitment, protection for their offspring • Men want to generate as many offspring as possible • Conflicting coupling strategies