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Discriminant measures for desperate love.
1Dept. of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003, USA.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|June 1, 1985
Summary
Individuals experiencing desperate love exhibit distinct personality traits and a more romantic outlook. This study differentiates desperate love based on self and other perceptions, highlighting latent qualities beyond behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Desperate love is characterized by urgency, neediness, dependence, a strong desire for reciprocation, idealization, and emotional extremes.
- Understanding the personality traits associated with desperate love is crucial for relationship psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the personality traits that lead to desperate love.
- To differentiate individuals experiencing desperate love based on their self-perceptions, perceptions of others, and attitudes toward love.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 251 undergraduates was divided into three groups: desperate love, non-desperate love, and a random control group.
- Participants completed questionnaires including the Desperate Love Scale, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Knox-Sporakowski Attitudes Toward Love Scale, and Characteristic Qualities Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Findings supported the hypothesis that individuals can be differentiated in their experience of desperate love based on distinct descriptions of self and important others.
- Results also indicated that individuals with a tendency toward desperate love possess a more romantic attitude toward love.
Conclusions:
- Latent qualities, in addition to manifest behavior, play a role in differentiating individuals who experience desperate love.
- This research contributes to understanding the psychological underpinnings of intense romantic experiences and relationship dynamics.