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Love and illusion

J A Livingston1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.

The Psychoanalytic Quarterly
|July 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Romantic love evolves through idealization and disillusionment. An optimal balance deepens intimacy, while imbalance can cause heartache, drawing on psychoanalytic theories.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Relationship Science

Background:

  • Romantic love involves complex psychological dynamics.
  • Idealization and disillusionment are key processes in relationship evolution.
  • Psychoanalytic theories offer frameworks for understanding these dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the interplay between idealization and disillusionment in romantic love.
  • To explore how an optimal balance influences intimacy.
  • To discuss the potential for heartache due to imbalance.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of psychoanalytic literature.
  • Discussion of works by Freud, Kernberg, and Kohut.
  • Exploration of idealization as projection and disillusionment as perceptual change.

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Main Results:

  • An optimal balance between idealization and disillusionment fosters deeper intimacy.
  • This balance is analogous to self-structure development described by Kohut.
  • Significant imbalance can negatively impact relationship satisfaction and lead to distress.

Conclusions:

  • The dynamic interplay of idealization and disillusionment is crucial for mature romantic love.
  • Psychoanalytic concepts provide valuable insights into relationship development and challenges.
  • Understanding and managing these processes can promote healthier, more intimate relationships.