Psychology of Love 101 (Broché)

Although many people view love as a nebulous concept that is difficult to study scientifically, there exists a substantial body of serious research about intimate relations. This incisive text provides a comprehensive tour of both classic and contemporary psychological theories and research on the how and why of human love. The book is grounded in the belief that scientific research can be used to demystify and enhance our loving relationships.
In addition to presenting the major biological, social, and cultural theories that have been developed on this topic, it looks at what research has shown us about such essential issues as basic attraction, the stages of relationships, how personality and environment impact love, and how online dating affects how we form relationships. Written for both students of psychology and laypeople, the book is unique in also helping readers understand their own love relationships.
Concise and accessible, the text illustrates ways in which love relationships can be measured and explores key questions posed by psychologists in their quest for understanding : Is love simply a function of human biology ? What part do our individual personalities play in attracting and maintaining love relationships ? Why is love so hard to find ? Can people stay in love ? Is online dating a good vehicle for finding a successful relationship ? How does being in a close relationship affect our mental and physical health ? Case studies and questionnaires illustrate key points, and a complete, empirically validated measurement scale - the Sternberg Triangular Love Scale - enables readers to analyze in some depth their own levels of intimacy, passion, and commitment to a relationship.
Key Features : offers a brief, accessible, and up-to-date survey of theory and research on the psychology of love ; includes a scale that readers can fill out and self-score to help them understand their own ways of engaging with love ; provides concrete, practical, and research-based suggestions on how readers can improve their own relationships.