what is it and how can you tell if you are in love?
2006-06-18 15:45:14 · 14 answers · asked by ladypiper04 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
"Love" is a very subjective term...we use the word love for many things, such as: I love my cat; I love coffee; I love my mother. The question that you have to ask is this; is your coffee on the same platform as your cat, and is your cat on the same platform as your mother? The answer is usually no, I love my cat more than my coffee, and I love my mother more than my cat(hence the USUALLY in there).
But what "love" actually is, the actual happening of "being in love", is a chemical reaction that happens within the brain at the meeting of someone that enhances said chemicals therein. You then get the physical signs of butterflies in the stomach, sweaty palms, and so on and so forth. Also through that comes arousal and then the "urge" to...um...procreate. That is the "physical" side of love.
The "mental" or "psychological" love comes from a deep connection with another person where you feel safe, secure, and otherwise happier. You feel relaxed, are open to communication and debate, and you feel a deep sense of self. That is the "mental" love...
But love within itself is hard to pin down and hard to describe. If you are "in-love" you're in love, no matter what anyone else tells you. I suggest that to find love, you must know yourself; only through that can you be "open" enough for true fulfillment from another person.
2006-06-18 15:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by Poppet 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
According to Robert Sternberg's research, "Love" is an emotion consisting of three components: intimacy, passion & committment.
Intimacy, the feeling close and connected to someone (developed through sharing and very good communications over time). Intimacy is what makes you want to share and offer emotional and material support to each other.
-Intimacy alone is Liking (true friendship without passion or long-term commitment)
Passion, the feeling physically aroused and attracted to someone. Passion is what makes you feel "in love" and is the feeling most associated with love. It also rises quickly and strongly influences and biases your judgment.
-Passion alone is Infatuation (passionate, obsessive love at first sight without intimacy or commitment)
Commitment, pledging to your self and each other to strengthen the feelings of love and to actively maintain the relationship. Commitment is what makes you want to be serious, have a serious relationship and promise to be there for the other person if things get tough.
-Commitment alone is Empty Love (decision to love another without intimacy or passion)
Romantic Love: Intimacy & Passion, no Commitment
-Lovers physically and emotionally attracted to each other but without commitment
-“As in a summer romance”
Companionate Love: Intimacy & Commitment, but no Passion
-Long-term committed friendships or a marriage in which the passion has faded
-I love you but I’m not IN love with you
Fatuous Love: Passion & Commitment, but no Intimacy
-Commitment based on passion with without time for intimacy to develop
-Shallow relationship such as a whirlwind courtship
Consummate Love: A complete love consisting of all three components
2006-06-20 09:54:00 · answer #2 · answered by Chuck W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
2006-06-18 22:49:00 · answer #3 · answered by ubilla.mariela 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love is suffer
2006-06-18 22:49:11 · answer #4 · answered by Jaya G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its special bond between people the friendship will grow then you will be in love.
2006-06-18 22:50:39 · answer #5 · answered by tdang424 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you get this "light" sort of euphoria feeling inside when you're around someone. i imagine it gets better when the other person loves you back and you get into a relationship with them.
2006-06-18 22:51:26 · answer #6 · answered by gaygoddevil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Love is the thing that has licked them, and it looks like Nathan's just another victim."
2006-06-18 22:54:29 · answer #7 · answered by irtnog2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an emotion that you get butterflys when you see a person and you care for that person and don't ever want anything to them and you want to be with them alot
2006-06-18 22:52:18 · answer #8 · answered by Danielle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
love can't be described
it is what it is
2006-06-18 22:54:15 · answer #9 · answered by purplepoppyfigs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is hard to say. You kind of just know, unless your obsessed, then you don't know.
2006-06-18 22:49:28 · answer #10 · answered by 2¢ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋