Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
08:33
A Cross-Disciplinary and Multi-Modal Experimental Design for Studying Near-Real-Time Authentic Examination Experiences
Published on: September 4, 2019
Love attitudes and relationship experience
Georgina Hammock1, Deborah South Richardson
1Augusta State University, Department of Psychology, Augusta, GA 30904, USA. ghammock@aug.edu
The Journal of Social Psychology
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Different love styles impact relationship stages. Ludus attitudes correlate with relationship initiation and dissolution, while Pragma is key for initiation. Agape and Mania are vital for relationship maintenance and loyalty.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Understanding the diverse ways individuals approach love is crucial for comprehending relationship dynamics.
- Previous research has identified various love styles, but their specific roles across relationship lifecycles require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between distinct love attitudes and the initiation, maintenance, and dissolution phases of romantic relationships.
- To determine how specific love styles (Ludus, Pragma, Agape, Mania, Eros) influence relationship experiences and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed the Love Attitudes Scale to assess their dominant love styles.
- A questionnaire measured relationship experiences across initiation, maintenance, and dissolution stages.
Main Results:
- Ludic (playful) love attitudes were associated with all relationship stages, particularly lack of loyalty concerns, shorter relationships, and positive views on dissolution.
- Pragmatic (practical) love attitudes were primarily linked to the initiation phase, specifically partner selection.
- Agapic (selfless) and Manic (obsessive) love attitudes were most prominent during relationship maintenance, correlating with involvement and loyalty.
- Agapic, Manic, and Erotic (passionate) love attitudes were associated with negative emotions during relationship dissolution.
Conclusions:
- Love attitudes significantly influence relationship trajectories, from formation to termination.
- Different love styles play distinct roles at various relationship stages, impacting commitment, loyalty, and emotional experiences.
- Understanding these associations can inform relationship counseling and individual relationship management.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Passionate Love
Passionate love is a powerful emotional and physiological state that plays a significant role in human relationships. It is characterized by an intense longing for connection with another person and is often considered the foundation of romantic attraction. Psychological research identifies three fundamental components of passionate love: cognition, emotion, and behavior.Cognitive AspectsCognition in passionate love involves idealization and persistent thoughts about the loved one. Individuals...
01:54Attitudes
Attitude is our evaluation of a person, an idea, or an object. We have attitudes for many things ranging from products that we might pick up in the supermarket to people around the world to political policies. Typically, attitudes are favorable or unfavorable: positive or negative (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993). And, they have three components: an affective component (feelings), a behavioral component (the effect of the attitude on behavior), and a cognitive component (belief and knowledge;...
02:15Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
We typically love the people with whom we form relationships, but the type of love we have for our family, friends, and lovers differs. Robert Sternberg (1986) proposed that there are three components of love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. These three components form a triangle that defines multiple types of love: this is known as Sternberg’s triangular theory of love. Intimacy is the sharing of details and intimate thoughts and emotions. Passion is the physical attraction—the flame in the...
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
03:34Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Attachment is a long-standing connection or bond with others. While Attachment Theory was conceived in developmental psychology to describe infant-caregiver bonding, it's been extended into adulthood to include romantic relationships.
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...