Good Love - Psych 131

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering biological, psychological, and philosophical theories of love, including Greek definitions, Sternberg's Triangular Theory, and Love Languages.

Physical Benefits of Love

According to the lecture, these include a boosted immune system, better gut health, eased chronic pain, lower blood pressure, a healthier heart, and increased life expectancy.

Emotional Benefits of Love

Reduced levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as improved sleep.

Oxytocin and vasopressin

Biological hormones cited by Wu (2017) that are responsible for the bonding aspect of love.

Dopamine

The biological hormone specifically associated with attraction in the context of why we love.

Testosterone & estrogen

Biological hormones cited by Wu (2017) that are associated with sexual desire.

Evolutionary Theories of Love

Wade, et al. (2009) propose that bonding provides connection, safety, survival, the nurturance of children to continue DNA, and protection for women and children.

Levine, et al. (1995) Study

A study asking if people would marry someone they weren't in love with; respondents who said yes included $49\%$ from Pakistan, $48\%$ from India, and $2.5\%$ from the US.

Eros

A Greek word for love referring to romantic, passionate love.

Philia

A Greek word for love referring to intimate friendship.

Ludus

A Greek word for love referring to playful, flirtatious, or casual love, sometimes considered manipulative.

Storge

A Greek word for love referring to familial love.

Philautia

A Greek word for love referring to compassionate self-love.

Pragma

A Greek word for love referring to committed, companionate love.

Agápe

A Greek word for love referring to empathetic, universal love.

Triangular Theory of Love

A theory developed by Sternberg (1986) that categorizes love into types such as Companionate, Fatuous, and Passionate/Infatuation.

Companionate Love

A deep and less intense state characterized by intimacy and commitment, based on full knowledge of the other person's character, developing gradually over time.

Fatuous Love

A whirlwind, impulsive type of love, often associated with quick marriages.

Passionate Love/Infatuation

An all-consuming physical and psychological state with intense feelings early on that decrease over time; it sets in before the partner is known well.

Liking

In Sternberg's Triagular Theory, this refers to friendship.

The 5 Love Languages (Chapman, 1992)

Acts of Service, Physical touch, Quality time, Gifts, and Words of Affirmation.

Check-ins

A sixth love language added to Chapman's theory by Pett, et al. (2023).

Love (bell hooks, 2001)

A feminist philosopher's definition including care, nurturance, affection, affirmation, respect, commitment, trust, and open & honest communication.

Love (Levine, 2005)

A therapist's perspective defining love as universal, erotic idealization, an ambition, a commitment, a mental struggle to maintain commitment, and a deal.

Myths of Romance

Unrealistic beliefs fueled by media and gender socialization that lead to decreased satisfaction and greater conflict in relationships.