Chapter 8: Love Flashcards
What was the basis for marriage in the past, and when did the shift towards marrying for love occur in Western cultures?
- In the past, marriage was based on political, economic, and practical considerations rather than romantic love.
- The shift towards marrying for love gained prominence in the late 20th century in North America.
How did different cultures and historical periods view love, and what were the cultural views in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome?
- Different cultures and historical periods have diverse views on the value, role, and nature of love.
- Ancient Greece admired platonic love, while ancient Rome viewed marriage primarily for procreation.
According to Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love, what are the three components, and how are they combined to form different types of love?
- Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love identifies three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.
- Love is described through combinations of these components, resulting in different types: nonlove, liking, infatuation, empty love, romantic love, companionate love, fatuous love, and consummate love.
What are some types of love defined by Sternberg’s Triangular Theory, and how are they characterized?
- Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love identifies three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.
- Love is described through combinations of these components, resulting in different types: nonlove, liking, infatuation, empty love, romantic love, companionate love, fatuous love, and consummate love.
According to Sternberg, why is consummate love challenging to maintain, and which component is considered the most variable?
- Sternberg suggests that consummate love, though sought after, is challenging to maintain over time.
- The theory raises questions about the lasting nature of passion, and passion is considered the most variable and uncontrollable component.
What does research indicate about the relationship between the components of intimacy, passion, and commitment?
- Research indicates that each component of intimacy, passion, and commitment contributes to relationship satisfaction.
- The most satisfying relationships involve significant levels of all three components.
What is the significance of the question “Does love last?” and how does it set the stage for exploring relationships?
- The question raises issues about the longevity of love, considering the variability of passion.
- It sets the stage for exploring the evolving nature of love and its sustainability in romantic relationships.
How did attitudes toward love vary throughout history, and when did the acceptance of romantic love in marriage become widespread in Europe?
- Throughout history, attitudes toward love varied across cultures on dimensions such as cultural value, sexuality, sexual orientation, and marital status.
- The acceptance of romantic love in marriage became more widespread in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe.
What are the various forms of love introduced by Sternberg’s Triangular Theory, and how can these components change over time?
- The text introduces Robert Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love, which includes three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.
- Various forms of love are discussed, such as non-love, liking, infatuation, empty love, romantic love, companionate love, fatuous love, and consummate love.
- Sternberg’s theory suggests that these components can change over time, and passion is considered the most variable.
What do studies indicate about the distinct experiences of passion and intimacy, and how are they regulated in the brain?
- Studies indicate that passion and intimacy are distinct experiences, regulated by different brain regions.
- fMRI technology reveals that passion activates different brain areas than affection and commitment.
- Evolutionarily, lust, attraction, and attachment are distinct biological systems facilitating successful reproduction.
- The physiological systems of love involve sex hormones, neurotransmitters like dopamine, and neuropeptides like oxytocin.
How does arousal influence feelings of romantic attraction, and what does the two-factor theory of passionate love suggest?
- Arousal, whether from fear or excitement, influences feelings of romantic attraction.
- Research suggests that adrenaline fuels love, and high arousal intensifies romantic responses to desirable partners.
- The two-factor theory of passionate love suggests that physiological arousal coupled with the belief that someone is the cause intensifies romantic love.
What are some characteristics of romantic love, and how does love influence thoughts and perceptions of partners?
- Romantic love involves intense thoughts and feelings, including intimacy, needy dependence, and caring for the partner.
- Research indicates that love makes people more likely to overlook faults in their partners and hold idealized images.
- Love keeps attention on a preferred partner and makes it easier to ignore tempting alternatives.
- Love also expands self-concepts and contributes to increased self-esteem.
How is companionate love characterized, and what are the physiological aspects of this type of love?
- Companionate love is a more settled state than romantic love as it does not depend on passion.
- It combines intimacy and commitment, characterized by comfort, affection, trust, deep friendship, and shared activities.
- Long-lasting marriages often attribute their success to being best friends and genuinely liking each other.
- The Friendship-Based Love Scale by Grote and Frieze measures companionate love, emphasizing friendship and companionship.
- Physiologically, companionate love involves oxytocin release, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
What are the distinctions between companionate love and romantic love, and how can they coexist?
- In companionate love, friendship and companionship are more evident than in romantic love.
- Romantic love involves dopamine, while companionate love involves oxytocin.
- Both types of love can coexist, and the distinctions are often fuzzier in real experiences than suggested.
What characterizes compassionate love, and how is it different from types covered by the Triangular Theory of Love?
- Compassionate love combines trust and understanding of intimacy with empathy, selflessness, and sacrifice.
- It involves caring for the well-being of the partner and is not explicitly covered by the Triangular Theory of Love.
- Compassionate lovers share the pain or joy of their loved ones and show empathy, generosity, and selfless concern.
- Compassionate Love Scale by Sprecher and Fehr measures this type of love.
What are John Alan Lee’s six styles of love, and how do they overlap with the types of love introduced by Sternberg’s Triangular Theory?
- John Alan Lee’s six styles of love include eros, ludus, storge, mania, agape, and pragma.
- Eros is passionate and physical, ludus treats love as a game, storge seeks genuine friendships, mania is demanding and possessive, agape is selfless and altruistic, and pragma is practical.
- These styles overlap with but differ from romantic, companionate, and compassionate love.
- Individual differences in love styles are influenced by factors like gender, with men scoring higher on ludus, and women being more storgic and pragmatic.
- Love styles highlight intriguing sources of individuality and preferences that contribute to the diversity of romantic experiences.
Is romantic love a universal human experience, and how do cultural nuances impact the value of love?
- Romantic love appears to be a universal human experience found in all cultures.
- While the basic aspects of love are similar across cultures, there are nuanced differences. For example, Americans emphasize physical attractiveness, while the Chinese prioritize personality, others’ opinions, and physical arousal.
- Individualistic Western nations, like the United States, prioritize love as a reason to marry, whereas in collective cultures like China, parental wishes play a more significant role.
How do attachment dimensions influence elements of love, and what impact do secure individuals have on relationship elements?
- Attachment dimensions of anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy significantly influence love elements (intimacy, passion, commitment, caring).
- Secure individuals tend to have higher intimacy, passion, commitment, and caring in relationships compared to insecure individuals.
How does age impact emotional intensity and positive interactions in relationships?
- As people age, emotional intensity decreases, leading to more positive interactions in relationships.
- Older couples may experience less physical arousal but more contentment.
Are there significant differences between men and women in experiencing various types of love?
- Men and women are more similar than different in experiencing various types of love.
- Men tend to be more avoidant of intimacy, less anxious about abandonment, and hold more romantic attitudes. Women are more cautious, selective about love, and prioritize commitment.
How does romantic love typically change after marriage, and what factors contribute to the decline?
- Romantic love typically decreases after marriage, influenced by factors like fantasy, novelty, and arousal.
- Fantasy diminishes as reality sets in, novelty wanes, and arousal naturally fades over time.
- While romantic love may decline, companionate love (intimacy and commitment) tends to increase with age, providing a stable foundation for long-term relationships.
What is the focus for maintaining long-term love, and how do strong friendships contribute to relationship passion?
- Focus on companionate love may be more stable and satisfying than romantic love in the long run.
- Strong friendships contribute to maintaining passion, and seeking novelty while avoiding boredom are crucial for relationship longevity.
