From songs and poems to novels and movies, romantic love is one of the most enduring themes of artwork of all time. But what about science?
Historical, cultural, and even evolutionary evidence indicates that love existed during antiquity and across many parts of the world. Romantic love was found in 147 of the 166 cultures examined in one study.
The complexity of love is largely related to how people experience it differently and how it can change over time.
Like, love, or "in love"?
Psychological research over the past 50 years has investigated the differences between liking and loving someone and "falling in love."
Admiration is described as having positive thoughts and feelings about someone and finding that person's company rewarding. We also often feel warmth and closeness to the people we love. In some cases, we choose to be emotionally intimate with these people.
When we love someone, we experience the same positive thoughts and experiences as when we love someone. But we also experience a deep sense of care and commitment to that person.
"Falling in love" includes all of the above but also includes feelings of arousal and sexual attraction. However, research into people's views of love indicates that not all love is the same.
Passionate Vs Companion Love
Romantic love consists of two types: passionate and companionate love. Most romantic relationships, whether heterosexual or same-sex, involve both parts.
Passionate love is what people usually consider "in love." It includes feelings of intense passion and longing for someone, to the point that they might anxiously think about wanting to be in their arms.
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