Love p2 Flashcards
(14 cards)
Studies using LAS
Gender differences
—Hendrick et al
—men more likely to show higher Ludus (game love) and high levels of Agape (altruistic love)
—women more likely to show storge (love as friendship) and pragma (practical love)
Sexual orientation
—gay men— mania/pragma
—heterosexual men— eros
Self esteem— hendrick
—positive correlation with eros/ludus
—negative correlation with mania
r
social psychologists tried to define love using psychmetric techniques
taxonomies of love played an important role in early stages of development
different taxonomies overlap to some degree
problems:
—merely descriptive approach— does not explain how operates
—same sex relationships— underrepesented
How does love operate?
love is likely product of biological evolution
—innate thing
—universal
—not just unique to humans— animals too
helps us with
survival
adapt
reproduction— parenting
relationship— pair bonding
relationship— trust/ support
Biological theories
—love is grounded in evolution/ neural systems/ chemistry
—evolutionary perspective— why do we love
-love involves a set of psychological adaptations— which help us in problems related to survival and reproduction
—love has been important for ensuring species is maintained/ survival /reproduction
Diff kinds of love associated with diff problems
-passionate love: to solve attraction problem
—help us to identify/ select suitable mates for procreation
-companionate love: to solve commitment problem
—increased likelihood that infants survive and reproduce— without this infants less likely to be protected- left with one parent etc
What happens to your brain when you fall in love?
When in love— activates same reward system of the human brain— ‘reward pathway’— same areas that are active when human brain feels rush from cocaine
Research compared brain activity (fmri)— of people who were deeply in love
—recruited ppts who described themselves as ‘deeply in love’
—ppts brought two pictures: one picture from their beloved
— one from diff person/ friend from same gender
—completed passionate love scale
—did mathematical tests
Results:
ppts who reported high levels of passionate love whilst looking at photo of beloved
—greater activation in brains ventral tegmental area (vta) and caudate nucleas— (brains reward and activation system )
—areas of brain involved in production of dopamine—same system involved in pleasure/addictions (cocaine/gambling)
—love rewards based process
—findings replicated cross/across sexual orientation
Love in the brain
—other key areas in brain that decrease activation— Zeki
when ppts were looking at photos of beloved:
—decreased activity in amygdala— decrease in fear/anger in presence of loved one—biological explanation why we feel safe/ sense of security when with loved one
—decrease in frontal cortex activity— related to higher order cognitive function— centre of critical thinking/ executive function/ logic— when we are in love— thinking logical decreased
3 brain systems for love
Lust, attraction, attachment
lust— testosterone/estrogen
attraction— dopamine/ norepinephrine/ serotonin
attachment— oxytocin/ vasopressin
3 distinct behaviours behind mating/ reproduction
—each of the three systems associated with diff brain system
—helps us to see what happens when we are reproducing/ mating / falling in love
—these systems can work together/ independently— no sequence— we can go thru any of these systems any time
Lust/sex drive
—characterised by craving for sexual gratification
—not necessarily focused on particular person— can be directed at number of potential partners
—fmri studies of human sexual arousal— show activation of hypothalamus
—stimulates production of sex hormones testosterone/estrogen
—when someone meets another— and they are physically attracted to them— may feel an innate drive/ instinct/ urge to be with them
—want closeness— physical/intimate
Romantic attraction
—corresponds to passionate love
—characterised by focused energy/ attention on specific individual
—here in this motivational system— more entrusted in having one partner— we are committed to that person
—responsible for intense feeling/ infatuation/ romantic love
Fmri shows— involves reward pathways of the brain— production of dopamine/ noradrenaline
—romantic attraction leads to reduction of serotonin
—serotonin levels of new lovers are equal /similar to low serotonin levels of patients with OCD
—why biologically gives an explanation of when we have a romantic attraction/passionate love— we are obsessed with them— always msging/ excited
—feelings of euphoric connection— driven by attraction system
—people want to keep these feelings alive— research suggested we need to have certain activities to keep these alive— bc passionate love dies
Attachment
—Found in long term relationships (companionate love)
—2 primary hormones— brain system associated with production of oxytocin (bonding hormone) — released during sex/ bonding—and vasopressin
—evolved to enable us to stick together— sustain connection
—when passion is low— u stay because oxytocin plays important bonding role
—when passionate love is gone— partners feel strong sense of connection/ comfort security in eachothers presence
Three brain systems
—can work together in tandem or separately
—love can start with any of these three feelings
—can feel strong feelings of sexual attraction, have sex first then fall in love
—fall head over heels in love, then have sex
—slowly grow deeply attached then feel drawn to have sex
summary
—love is deeply biological
—we solve adaption problems assosciated with survival/reproduction
—diff forms of love aim to solve diff adaptation problems—rooted in diff brain systems
problems
—fails to account for influence of social/culturaltural factors
s
Breakups
over 80% of people experience at least 1 major breakup
— breakups one of lifes most stressful experiences
negative effects
—low self esteem
—high depression
—high suicide attempts
—high physical illness
—risk of early death— damaging as obesity or heavy drinking
Why relationships end
Individual factors
—marrying young
—early parenthood
—low education
—lack of religious involvement
—high neuroticism
Dyadic (rs) factors
—dissimilar attitudes
—boredom/lack of stimulation
—extramarital affairs
—low relationship satisfaction
Ducks phase model
- intrapsychic stage
—one partner starts feeling dissatisfied
—internal reflection— i cant take this anymopre
—no confrontation yet - dyadic state
— dissatisfaction revealed to partner
—discussion/ conflicts/ attempts to repair - social stage
—public
—friends/family involved/ sides taken - post breakup reflection
—why it ended
—start preparing for new relationships
—its time to move on
