Specifically, psychologist Robert Sternberg developed his well-regarded triangular theory of love in the early 1980s. Much research has built upon his work and demonstrated its universality across cultures. Researchers have made distinctions between feelings of liking and loving another person.
Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that has been the subject of countless poems, songs, movies, and philosophical discussions throughout history. But what exactly does it mean to define love?
In Hebrew, אהבה (ahava) is the most commonly used term for both interpersonal love and love between God and God’s creations. Chesed, often translated as loving-kindness, is used to describe many forms of love between human beings. These definitions tend to focus on broad feelings of love rather than the momentary experience. Barb Frederickson argues that we need to rethink our definitions of love and focus more on love as a moment of positive connection between two people. These moments of connection can happen with loved ones but also with strangers. When we think of love as a moment of connection, it is not bound by attachment or commitment.
Love is like an emotion that you can regulate by generating new feelings or changing the intensity of the feelings you have. Strong attachment bonds set mammals apart from many other types of animals, though other groups — including fish and birds — also form strong social connections to help them survive. Love is an emotion of strong affection, tenderness, or devotion toward a subject or object. When you love a person you experience pleasurable sensations in their presence and are sensitive about their reactions to you.
What is Love?
Love can be defined as a deep emotional connection and bond between two individuals. It involves care, compassion, empathy, and affection towards another person.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. In conversation and in less formal writing, people sometimes use love to emphasize that they like a thing or activity very much. Love is most likely influenced by both biology and culture. Although hormones and biology are important, the way we express and experience love is also influenced by our own conceptions of love. There are countless songs, books, poems, and other works of art about love (you probably have one in mind as we speak!).
Senator William Proxmire railed against researchers who were studying love and derided the work as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Only fairly recently has love become the subject of science. In the past, the study of love was left to “the creative writer to depict for us the necessary conditions for loving,” according to Sigmund Freud. “In consequence, it becomes inevitable that science should concern herself with the same materials whose treatment by artists has given enjoyment to mankind for thousands of years,” he added. No relationship is perfect, so there will always be problems, conflicts, misunderstandings, and disappointments that can lead to distress or heartbreak. For additional discussion of love and other emotions from varied scientific perspectives, see emotion.
The Components of Love
There are various components that make up the concept of love, including:
- Emotional Attachment: Feeling a strong sense of attachment and connection to someone.
- Physical Attraction: Feeling drawn to someone on a physical level.
- Commitment: Being dedicated to the well-being and happiness of the other person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Love
- Can love be defined?
- Is love limited to romantic relationships?
- How do I know if I am in love?
While love may be difficult to define in concrete terms, its effects and presence in our lives are undeniable.
No, love can also exist in friendships, familial relationships, and even towards pets or objects.
Signs of being in love include thinking about the person constantly, feeling a deep connection, and being willing to make sacrifices for their happiness.
