LOVE

Love - Social Psychology

Love - Social Psychology

Abstract

Love is the abstract term for affection, in its most intense potency, the most exquisite positive feeling in the emotional spectrum. Love can be felt subjectively or objectively, and generally refers, but is not restricted to, interpersonal relationships. There are many types of love; romantic love, family love, platonic love and objective love, as well as love for more general concepts such as love of (a) God, or love of knowledge, love of nature, etc. Symbolically, it is recognized by the shape of a heart, and often associated with the colors pink and red. Love may or may not be reciprocated, and the word love itself is often exploited and is now part of everyday jargon, oftentimes where the feeling does not in fact exist (for example, "I love apples," where there is not substantial love). Love can be shown through contact such as hand holding, kissing, hugging and sex, but is felt emotionally more than it is shown.

Love is intangible and invisible, contains no odor or taste and cannot be heard, although a combination of all these senses are essential in detecting it. It is like a subconscious feeling that comes from within and is comforting often overwhelming. Regardless of the type of love, whether romantic, platonic or family, love remains unlike anything else that can be described.

Introduction

The Meaning of Love What exactly is love? Is there an absolute meaning to the word - love? Or is it purely subjective? The concept of true love is what we search for all our lives. Yet love is one of the most misunderstood concepts of all. What people really want more than anything else is to be loved unconditionally; to be accepted for who we are, and still be loved. Sometimes we will do some crazy things, in the name of love. Love is actually the choice one makes to put someone's wishes, desires and needs above our own. Many people confuse the word love with the meaning of the word want or desire. For example, sometimes when a young man tells the woman of his dreams, I love you, when he means that he wants her because of his own selfish desires. He's the one that may feel all excited over her, but in reality he may want her because of her physical appearance, or because of her mentality or her ability to make him feel good or important. Notice his primary motive for pursuing her is based on himself and his desires; not on pleasing her, although he may choose to please her, but that's only based upon the fulfillment of his wants (Fehr, and Broughton, 2001).

The same goes for a young woman, when she says to the man of her dreams, I love you, she in fact means that she wants him because of his physical appearance, status, mentality or his ability to make her feel good or important. This usage of the word love for the meaning of the word want is ...