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Modernization, collectivism, and gender equality predict love experiences in 45 countries
Piotr Sorokowski1, Marta Kowal2, Robert J Sternberg3
1University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland. sorokowskipiotr@yahoo.co.uk.
Scientific Reports
|January 14, 2023
Summary
Modernization, collectivism, and warmer climates correlate with higher reported levels of love, particularly intimacy. These factors may influence how love is experienced and expressed across cultures worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Human Behavior
Background:
- Love is a near-universal human phenomenon with biological underpinnings.
- Cultural, social, and environmental factors significantly shape love experiences and expressions.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for a comprehensive view of love.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between modernization indexes and love experiences.
- To explore how cultural, social, and environmental factors influence the three components of love: passion, intimacy, and commitment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 9,474 individuals across 45 countries.
- Utilized the Triangular Love Scale to measure passion, intimacy, and commitment.
- Examined correlations with country-level predictors: modernization proxies (HDI, WMI, GII), collectivism, and average annual temperatures.
Main Results:
- Higher modernization indexes were associated with increased levels of love, especially intimacy.
- Collectivism and higher average annual temperatures also correlated positively with reported love experiences.
- These findings suggest a link between societal development and emotional experiences.
Conclusions:
- Modernization processes appear to influence the experience of love.
- Cultural and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping universal human emotions like love.
- Further research can explore the mechanisms behind these observed relationships.
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