This article examines the possibility that romantic love (with intensity, engagement, and sexual interest) can exist in long-term relationships. A review of taxonomies, theory, and research suggests that romantic love, without the obsession component typical of early stage romantic love, can and does exist in long-term marriages, and is associated with marital satisfaction, well-being, and high self-esteem.
Supporting the separate roles of romantic love and obsession in long-term relationships,
An analysis of a moderately large data set of community couples identified independent latent factors for romantic love and obsession and a subsample of individuals reporting very high levels of romantic love (but not obsession) even after controlling for social desirability. Finally, a meta-analysis of 25 relevant studies found that in long- and short-term relationships, romantic love (without obsession) was strongly associated with relationship satisfaction; but obsession was negatively correlated with it in long-term and positively in short-term relationships.
In contemporary Western culture, romantic love is deemed an
important part of marriage. Many individuals view romantic
love as a basis to marry (Dion & Dion, 1991) and its disappearance
as grounds to terminate marriage (Simpson, Campbell,
& Berscheid, 1986). Increasingly, romantic love and marriage
have come to be viewed as a source of self-fulfillment and
expression (Dion & Dion, 1991). Ironically though, it is widely
believed that over time romantic love fades and that at best it
evolves into a “warm afterglow” (Reik, 1944) of companionate
love, a friendship-type love. How then, could something that is
considered critical, if not the purpose of marrying, also be
assumed to die out inevitably?
Psychologists, therapists, and laypeople have puzzled over
the possibility of romantic love in long-term marriages. Some
have assumed that very high levels of romantic love in longterm
relationships might be inefficient, being metabolically
costly (e.g., Fisher, 2006) and perhaps even deterring the lover
from familial, work, and community obligations. Perhaps others
have been swayed by media reports highlighting the dark side
of love and marriage (e.g., high divorce rates, infidelity, stalking,
domestic violence, etc.). Last, maintaining the assumption
that romantic love cannot last allows those with good, but not
stellar relationships to maintain the status quo and avoid being
threatened by the possibility of high levels of love in long-term
In this article we argue that romantic love—with intensity,
engagement, and sexual interest— can last. Although it does not
usually include the obsessional qualities of early stage love, it does
not inevitably die out or at best turn into companionate love—a
warm, less intense love, devoid of attraction and sexual desire. We
suggest that romantic love in its later and early stages can share the
qualities of intensity, engagement, and sexual liveliness. We
briefly review relevant taxonomies, theoretical perspectives, and
research; present new analyses of an existing data set of long-term
couples; report a meta-analysis of the association of relationship
satisfaction with romantic love in long and short-term relationships;
review studies of long-term love’s relation to individual
well-being; and conclude with implications for theory, research,
and applications.
Sexual Dating And Relationship - Do They Always Lead To Sex?
How can there be a long friendship between a man and a woman without sex entering it? A friendship involves emotions and intimacy which can have only one logical conclusion - bed. Some male think they could have friendship with number of the opposite sex without eventually being sexually attracted to her.
Friendship is one of the most significant aspects of social existence, and social physiologists have made a study of it under the broader category of interpersonal attraction, feelings of liking which provide the foundation of friendship.
The simplest, most basic unit in which social interaction is possible is a dyad, consisting of two members. The term is used by social scientists to avoid the special and romantic association of words like 'couple' or 'pair' that is, any two persons interacting with each other.
There are many degrees of friendship ranging from a casual acquaintanceship to a deep, long-standing confiding relationship. The friendship based on virtue is the most permanent and stable relationship possible between two persons. The prerequisites for any king of direct interpersonal relationship is the close proximity of one individuals who live close to one another, are more likely to become friends than those who live some distance apart, and people who interact frequently are more likely to become friends than those who interact rarely. Friendship persists and grows spontaneously among individuals who have common interest, values and attitudes. That is, people of similar interest do tend to become friends.
Some people are attracted to others who compliment their ways and comportment. The satisfaction of needs also seems to be related to the question of interpersonal attraction. Studies demonstrate that persons tend to become attracted to others who can help them attain their own goals and aims. Friendship is supposed to involve some give and take (mutual satisfaction of needs). Any friendship which is selfishly exploitative would not last. Some of the virtues of friendship are clear motives, sincerity and straightforwardness which is acquired not merely by displaying emotional or physical intimacy but, with great sacrificial gesture.
Friendship is a relation which people voluntarily choose to bring about. And it is one in which the status of the partners is symmetrical. That is, a relationship of mutual respect exhibition. There is no doubt in the fact that, some people might be having different opinions as far as friendship and relationship are concerned. A person that is emotionally and sentimentally mesmerized will be having a special kind of attraction towards somebody, while the other person might just be regarding his or her gesture as that of a casual acquaintance. The propensity and proximity between the fact that a friendship will or not lead to sex is incontrovertible and inherent.
Friendship is one of the most significant aspects of social existence, and social physiologists have made a study of it under the broader category of interpersonal attraction, feelings of liking which provide the foundation of friendship.
The simplest, most basic unit in which social interaction is possible is a dyad, consisting of two members. The term is used by social scientists to avoid the special and romantic association of words like 'couple' or 'pair' that is, any two persons interacting with each other.
There are many degrees of friendship ranging from a casual acquaintanceship to a deep, long-standing confiding relationship. The friendship based on virtue is the most permanent and stable relationship possible between two persons. The prerequisites for any king of direct interpersonal relationship is the close proximity of one individuals who live close to one another, are more likely to become friends than those who live some distance apart, and people who interact frequently are more likely to become friends than those who interact rarely. Friendship persists and grows spontaneously among individuals who have common interest, values and attitudes. That is, people of similar interest do tend to become friends.
Some people are attracted to others who compliment their ways and comportment. The satisfaction of needs also seems to be related to the question of interpersonal attraction. Studies demonstrate that persons tend to become attracted to others who can help them attain their own goals and aims. Friendship is supposed to involve some give and take (mutual satisfaction of needs). Any friendship which is selfishly exploitative would not last. Some of the virtues of friendship are clear motives, sincerity and straightforwardness which is acquired not merely by displaying emotional or physical intimacy but, with great sacrificial gesture.
Friendship is a relation which people voluntarily choose to bring about. And it is one in which the status of the partners is symmetrical. That is, a relationship of mutual respect exhibition. There is no doubt in the fact that, some people might be having different opinions as far as friendship and relationship are concerned. A person that is emotionally and sentimentally mesmerized will be having a special kind of attraction towards somebody, while the other person might just be regarding his or her gesture as that of a casual acquaintance. The propensity and proximity between the fact that a friendship will or not lead to sex is incontrovertible and inherent.
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