Love Actually Midterm Study Guide Overview

Rainer Maria Rilke

Poet who wrote letters on creativity.

The Seventh Letter

Rilke's correspondence discussing love and creativity.

Necessity of Solitude

Creativity and self-realization require solitude.

Inner Growth

Prioritizing personal development over external opinions.

bell hooks

Author discussing love's societal perceptions.

Cynicism about Love

Youth's skeptical view on love's authenticity.

Gender Differences in Love

Men theorize; women practice love.

hooks' Definition of Love

Extending oneself for spiritual growth.

Shared Definition of Love

Common understanding essential for healthy relationships.

Cathexis

Emotional investment in a person or idea.

Dysfunctional Relationships

Arise from unclear definitions of love.

Seven Characteristics of Intimate Relationships

Key traits defining strong personal connections.

Knowledge

Sharing confidential information in relationships.

Interdependence

Mutual influence and need in relationships.

Caring

Affectionate feelings towards each other.

Trust

Expectation of fairness and safety in relationships.

Responsiveness

Understanding and supporting each other's wishes.

Mutuality

Collective identity over individual perspectives.

Commitment

Desire to maintain and invest in relationships.

Marriage Trends in America

Fewer people marrying than in previous decades.

Average Age of First Marriage

28 for women, 30 for men.

Cohabitation Issues

Living together before marriage increases marital problems.

Cultural Changes in Relationships

Shifts in societal norms affecting relationship dynamics.

Industrialization

Economic shift towards manufacturing and technology.

Affluence

Wealth leading to increased individualism.

Sex Ratio

Proportion of men to women in a population.

Gender Roles

Social expectations for behavior based on sex.

Traditionally Feminine

Traits like warmth and compassion.

Traditionally Masculine

Traits like assertiveness and self-reliance.

Singlism

Disadvantages faced by single individuals.

Eros

Sexual passion and desire in relationships.

Philia

Friendship characterized by loyalty.

Storge

Familial love, such as parent-child bonds.

Ludus

Playful, youthful love.

Agape

Universal, selfless love for all.

Pragma

Mature love in long-term relationships.

Philautia

Self-love, can be healthy or narcissistic.

Primary Narcissism

Infant self-absorption stage in development.

Erich Fromm's Love

Love is a practice, not a noun.

Overcoming Narcissism

Requires reason, humility, and courage.

Idealization

Seeing partners as perfect or flawless.

Fantasy

Unrealistic expectations in romantic relationships.

Fromm's Love Practice

Involves discipline, patience, and concentration.

Rational Faith

Belief based on personal experience.

Relational Theory

Framework for understanding love relationships.

George Saunders

Author of 'Congratulations, by the way' speech.

Kindness

Main point emphasized in Saunders' speech.

Attraction

Fundamental basis for interpersonal relationships.

Proximity

Physical closeness increases attraction.

Familiarity

Repeated contact enhances liking.

Physical Attractiveness

Preference for individuals deemed lovely.

0.7 WHR

Ideal waist-to-hip ratio for attractiveness.

Reciprocity

Attraction to those who like us.

Similarity

Preference for individuals like ourselves.

Warmth & Loyalty

Key traits desired by both genders.

Attractiveness Vitality

Physical appeal and energy in partners.

Status and Resources

Desirable traits in potential mates.

Natural Selection

Survival of traits suited for environment.

Survival of the Fittest

Reproductive success defines fitness.

Sexual Selection

Mate-finding influenced by reproductive behavior.

Kin Selection

Choosing partners that benefit kin's survival.

Red Queen Hypothesis

Continuous evolution needed for fitness.

Monogamy

One partner; does not imply fidelity.

Oneida Community

Experiment in free love and communal living.

Sex at Dawn

Challenges standard evolutionary psychology narratives.

Paternity Uncertainty

Men's concern over offspring parentage.

Parental Investment

Women's investment in offspring's upbringing.

Caritas Synthesis

Blend of Eros and Agape in love.

Courtly Love

Idealized sexual love between genders.

Romantic Love

Combination of sexual desire and affection.

Victorian Era Changes

Shift in societal views on sexuality.

Sexual Revolution

Increased acceptance of diverse sexual identities.

Kama Sutra

Ancient text on sexual practices and perceptions.

Arranged Marriages

55% of global marriages are arranged.

Divorce Rate

6.3% of arranged marriages end in divorce.

Herbivore Men

Japanese men showing little interest in romance.

Hikkikomori

Individuals withdrawing from society, seeking isolation.

Sigeh

A temporary marriage arrangement.

Leftover Women

Unmarried women over the age of 27.

Loving v. Virginia

Legalized interracial marriage in the U.S.

Ruled bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Obergefell v. Hodges

legalized gay marriage

Triune Brain Model

Three-part model of brain function and evolution.

Reptilian Brain

Controls basic functions like fight or flight.

Mammal Brain

Involved in emotions and memory processing.

Human Brain

Responsible for abstract thought and language.

Prefrontal Cortex

Last brain area to develop, involved in reasoning.

Synapse

Space between neurons for signal transmission.

Mirror Neurons

Activate when observing others perform actions.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals transmitting signals across synapses.

Dopamine

Involved in reward circuitry related to love.

Norepinephrine

Stress hormone involved in fight-or-flight response.

Serotonin

Key neurotransmitter for mood stability.

Oxytocin

Modulates bonding and social behavior.

Vasopressin

Works with oxytocin in social bonding.

Types of Neglect

Occasional inattention

Chronic under-stimulation

Severe neglect in a family context

Severe neglect in an institutional setting

Harlow's Experiments

Showed monkeys prefer comfort over nurture.

Bowlby's Attachment Theory

Emphasizes need for secure relationships.

Spitz Observations

Noted effects of neglect on child development.

Anaclitic Depression

Partial emotional deprivation affecting child development.

Mary Ainsworth

Psychologist known for attachment theory research.