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Bode A, Kowal M, Cannas Aghedu F, Kavanagh PS. Romantic Love and Sexual Frequency: Challenging Beliefs. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2024; 50:894-905. [PMID: 39175258 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2024.2394670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Common conceptions of romantic love suggest that romantic love is associated with increased sexual activity with more frequent sex in the earlier stages of a romantic relationship. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated individual-level factors and sexual frequency using a validated measure of romantic love. This study tested a number of hypotheses about the factors associated with sexual frequency among 720 sexually active young adults experiencing romantic love from the Romantic Love Survey 2022. We hypothesized that relationship duration, the intensity of romantic love and obsessive thinking about a loved one, commitment, and hypomanic-like features would be associated with sexual frequency. Using hierarchical linear regression, controlling for known covariates, we found no significant associations between any of our variables of interest and the sexual frequency and our entire model of 14 well-reasoned predictors explained only 4.06% of the variation in sexual frequency. The findings are surprising and highlight how little is currently known about sexual activity and sexual desire among individuals experiencing romantic love.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bode
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Marta Kowal
- IDN Being Human Lab, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Phillip S Kavanagh
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
- Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Magill, SA, Australia
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2
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Bortolini T, Laport MC, Latgé-Tovar S, Fischer R, Zahn R, de Oliveira-Souza R, Moll J. The extended neural architecture of human attachment: An fMRI coordinate-based meta-analysis of affiliative studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 159:105584. [PMID: 38367888 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Functional imaging studies and clinical evidence indicate that cortical areas relevant to social cognition are closely integrated with evolutionarily conserved basal forebrain structures and neighboring regions, enabling human attachment and affiliative emotions. The neural circuitry of human affiliation is continually being unraveled as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) becomes increasingly prevalent, with studies examining human brain responses to various attachment figures. However, previous fMRI meta-analyses on affiliative stimuli have encountered challenges, such as low statistical power and the absence of robustness measures. To address these issues, we conducted an exhaustive coordinate-based meta-analysis of 79 fMRI studies, focusing on personalized affiliative stimuli, including one's infants, family, romantic partners, and friends. We employed complementary coordinate-based analyses (Activation Likelihood Estimation and Signed Differential Mapping) and conducted a robustness analysis of the results. Findings revealed cluster convergence in cortical and subcortical structures related to reward and motivation, salience detection, social bonding, and cognition. Our study thoroughly explores the neural correlates underpinning affiliative responses, effectively overcoming the limitations noted in previous meta-analyses. It provides an extensive view of the neural substrates associated with affiliative stimuli, illuminating the intricate interaction between cortical and subcortical regions. Our findings significantly contribute to understanding the neurobiology of human affiliation, expanding the known human attachment circuitry beyond the traditional basal forebrain regions observed in other mammals to include uniquely human isocortical structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Bortolini
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Maria Clara Laport
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sofia Latgé-Tovar
- Institute of Psychiatry, Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ronald Fischer
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Psychology, PO Box 600, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Roland Zahn
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; The Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; IDOR - Pioneer Science Initiative, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Kim HE, Eom H, Jo HJ, Kim MK, Kim J, Kim JJ. Neural substrates of marriage on self-parents processing and the association with a parents-oriented perspective shift in a collectivistic culture. Biol Psychol 2024; 187:108768. [PMID: 38432426 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Relationship with parents is a special bond that shapes self-other representations and have an impact on adult-child's marriage, especially in the early stages of marriage. This study sought to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying self-parents processing as well as their relationship with marriage. Seventy-eight premarital Korean participants were scanned in functional MRI while evaluating traits of the self and parents. Then, 21 of them returned after being married to engage in the identical task three years later. The precuneus and temporoparietal junction were identified to activate stronger for parents than self at both marital statuses. The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, parietal operculum, and caudate activated more for self than parents before marriage, but their activities changed during marriage. The activation increase of the parietal operculum between marital statuses in the parents condition was negatively correlated with the level of marital dissatisfaction, and this association only appeared among participants with a child. Self-parents processing may recruit brain regions involved in autobiographical memory and self-other distinction, and marriage has an impact on the way individuals process rewards and multimodal sensory information during this processing. Marriage may lead to changes in brain function that affect the processing of emotions toward parents and a more parents-oriented perspective shift in collectivistic societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesun Erin Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojung Eom
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jeong Jo
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyeong Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhyung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jin Kim
- Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Leite Â, Costa A, Ribeiro B, Fonseca C, Ribeiro I, Mesquita J, Ribeiro S. Being Female and in a Romantic Relationship Enhances the Association between Satisfaction with Love Life and Capacity to Love. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7108. [PMID: 38063538 PMCID: PMC10706159 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate if the relation between love life satisfaction, assessed by the satisfaction with love life scale (SWLLS), and capacity to love, assessed by the capacity to love inventory (CTL-I), is moderated by gender and by being or not in a romantic relationship, in a Portuguese sample. To this end, the adaptation and validation of CTL-I for this population were carried out through an exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) followed by a Robust Maximum Likelihood (MLR) confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA). A multi-group analysis for measurement invariance depending on being in a romantic relationship or not was assessed. The model's reliability was also evaluated. The associations between SWLLS and CTL-I were tested by correlations, regressions and moderations. At last, differences between means and distributions concerning sociodemographic variables were determined. The results showed that a good model fit for the Portuguese version of the CTL-I was found, as well as good psychometric properties. Results also showed that satisfaction with love life contributes to explaining the capacity to love and all its dimensions, and that gender and being in a romantic relationship moderate the association between love life satisfaction and the capacity to love. Being female and being in a romantic relationship make the relationship between love life satisfaction and the capacity to love stronger and more meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela Leite
- Centre for Philosophical and Humanistic Studies, Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Camões, 4710-362 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Costa
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Beatriz Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Carolina Fonseca
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Inês Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Joana Mesquita
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
| | - Sara Ribeiro
- Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados–Folhadela, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; (A.C.); (B.R.); (C.F.); (I.R.); (J.M.); (S.R.)
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Bode A. Romantic love evolved by co-opting mother-infant bonding. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1176067. [PMID: 37915523 PMCID: PMC10616966 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1176067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
For 25 years, the predominant evolutionary theory of romantic love has been Fisher's theory of independent emotion systems. That theory suggests that sex drive, romantic attraction (romantic love), and attachment are associated with distinct neurobiological and endocrinological systems which evolved independently of each other. Psychological and neurobiological evidence, however, suggest that a competing theory requires attention. A theory of co-opting mother-infant bonding sometime in the recent evolutionary history of humans may partially account for the evolution of romantic love. I present a case for this theory and a new approach to the science of romantic love drawing on human psychological, neurobiological, and (neuro)endocrinological studies as well as animal studies. The hope is that this theoretical review, along with other publications, will generate debate in the literature about the merits of the theory of co-opting mother-infant bonding and a new evolutionary approach to the science of romantic love.
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Bode A, Kowal M. Toward consistent reporting of sample characteristics in studies investigating the biological mechanisms of romantic love. Front Psychol 2023; 14:983419. [PMID: 37213378 PMCID: PMC10192910 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.983419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In this non-systematic review, we consider the sample reporting practices of 42 studies up to and including 2021 investigating the biological mechanisms of romantic love (i.e., 31 neuroimaging studies, nine endocrinological studies, one genetics study, and one combined neuroimaging and genetics study). We searched scientific databases using key terms and drew on our and other authors' knowledge to identify studies that investigated the mechanisms associated with romantic love using neuroimaging, endocrinological, and genetic methods. Only studies with a group or entire sample experiencing romantic love were included. The aim was to collate all relevant studies and determine the comparability of studies and ability to assess the generalizability of findings. We summarize how these studies report sex/gender, age, romantic love, relationship duration/time in love, and sample descriptors. We then outline the case for promoting comparability and the ability to determine generalizability in future studies. The findings indicate a limited ability to compare studies' samples or make an assessment of the generalizability of findings. Existing studies are not representative of the general population in a particular country or globally. We conclude by presenting ideas about how best to report sex, age, romantic love characteristics, relationship status, time in love, relationship duration, relationship satisfaction, type of unrequited love, sexual activity, cultural characteristics, socio-economic status, student status, and method-relevant descriptors. If our ideas are adopted, in part or in whole, we expect the comparability of studies to increase. Adopting our ideas will also make it easier to make an assessment of the generalizability of findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bode
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Marta Kowal
- IDN Being Human Lab, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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Escriche Chova P, Ferrer E, Goetze LR, Dufek ME, Freeman SM, Bales KL. Neural and behavioral reactions to partners and strangers in monogamous female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Behav Brain Res 2023; 443:114334. [PMID: 36781020 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Pair bonding in humans and other socially monogamous species can have positive effects on health and well-being. These attachments also come with the potential for challenges such as separation, jealousy, or grief. Much of the work on the neurobiology of pair bonding in non-human primates has been carried out in coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus), a monogamous South American monkey, although these studies have been primarily in males. In the current study, we utilized female titi monkeys to experimentally examine responses to their monogamous male partner vs. a male stranger or being alone. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans were performed on eight adult female titi monkeys from well-established pairs. We used a within-subjects design in which each female underwent three different conditions after the fluorodeoxyglucose F18 (FDG) injection: a) the subject was reunited with her partner, b) encountered a stranger, or c) was alone in the experimental cage. Behavioural observations were recorded, and plasma assayed for cortisol. Females housed alone showed higher cortisol compared with either the partner or stranger conditions. FDG uptake was higher in the amygdala and hippocampus when interacting with the stranger than the partner. Proximity modulated the relationship between social condition and FDG uptake in several areas. Females entered into mutual proximity more frequently with the partner than with the stranger. Female titi monkeys have different physiological, neural, and behavioural reactions to being with their partner, a stranger male, or being alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Escriche Chova
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Emilio Ferrer
- Department of Psychology, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Leana R Goetze
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Madison E Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sara M Freeman
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.
| | - Karen L Bales
- California National Primate Research Center, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Psychology, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, UC-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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8
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Sun J, Li F, Wang S, Lu Z, Zhang C. College students still maintain the traditional Chinese concept of love. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13786. [PMID: 36915517 PMCID: PMC10006721 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A cross-sectional census was conducted on all students at the campus of Inner Mongolia Medical University using a self-administered questionnaire. This study aimed to investigate their love from psychological pressure, behavioral characteristics, social cognition, etc. Our results show that all students cultivate feelings and become lifelong partners as their motivation for love. Among the population with various demographic characteristics, the prevalence of love among disadvantaged groups is low; that is, women are lower than men, and those from rural are lower than those from cities. After balancing areas and gender, mental working families have a high prevalence of love. Instead, students whose parents' high expectations pressure their children to have a high love prevalence. This is due to China's specific historical perspective. Our results suggested that although China has been deeply integrated with the world and has more frequent ideological and cultural exchanges, college students still inherit China's traditional outlook on love.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Sun
- Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Fengqing Li
- Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Shiqi Wang
- Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.,Faculty of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zeyu Lu
- Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Chengyi Zhang
- Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
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Khani P, Ansari Dezfouli M, Nasri F, Rahemi M, Ahmadloo S, Afkhami H, Saeidi F, Tereshchenko S, Bigdeli MR, Modarressi MH. Genetic and epigenetic effects on couple adjustment in context of romantic relationship: A scoping systematic review. Front Genet 2023; 14:1002048. [PMID: 36816018 PMCID: PMC9937082 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1002048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Couples' relationships defined by a complex interaction between the two partners and their intrapersonal traits. Romantic; relationships and love are associated with marital satisfaction and stability, as well as couples' happiness and health. Personality traits influence romantic relationships and, personality influenced by genetical and non-genetically factors. The roles of non-genetically factors such as socioeconomic position and external appearance have revealed in determining the quality of romantic relationships. Methods: We; performed a scoping systematic review to assess the association between genetics and epigenetic factors and romantic relationship. Relevant articles were identified by PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the APA PsycInfo searching between inception and 4 June 2022. Results: Different studies evaluated the associated polymorphisms in 15 different genes or chromosomal regions. In the first step; we classified them into four groups: (1) Oxytocin-related signaling pathway (OXTR, CD38, and AVPR1A); (2) Serotonin-related signaling pathway (SLC6A4, HTR1A, and HTR2A); (3) Dopamine and catecholamine-related signaling pathway (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, ANKK1, and COMT); and (4) other genes (HLA, GABRA2, OPRM1, and Y-DNA haplogroup D-M55). Then, we evaluated and extracted significant polymorphisms that affect couple adjustment and romantic relationships. Discussion: Overall, the findings suggest that genetic and epigenetics variants play a key role in marital adjustment and romantic relationships over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouria Khani
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Ansari Dezfouli
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Nasri
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rahemi
- Department of stem cell technology and tissue regeneration, Faculty of Science, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salma Ahmadloo
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzane Saeidi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sergey Tereshchenko
- Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Krasnoyarsk, Russia,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
| | - Mohammad Reza Bigdeli
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
| | - Mohammad Hossein Modarressi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Sergey Tereshchenko, ; Mohammad Reza Bigdeli, ; Mohammad Hossein Modarressi,
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10
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Novaes FC, Natividade JC. The sexual selection of creativity: A nomological approach. Front Psychol 2023; 13:874261. [PMID: 36698589 PMCID: PMC9869285 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.874261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cultural innovations, such as tools and other technical articles useful for survival, imply that creativity is an outcome of evolution. However, the existence of purely ornamental items obfuscates the functional value of creativity. What is the functional or adaptive value of aesthetic and intellectual ornaments? Recent evidence shows a connection between ornamental creativity, an individual's attractiveness, and their reproductive success. However, this association is not sufficient for establishing that creativity in humans evolved by sexual selection. In this critical review, we synthesize findings from many disciplines about the mechanisms, ontogeny, phylogeny, and the function of creativity in sexual selection. Existing research indicates that creativity has the characteristics expected of a trait evolved by sexual selection: genetic basis, sexual dimorphism, wider variety in males, influence of sex hormones, dysfunctional expressions, an advantage in mating in humans and other animals, and psychological modules adapted to mating contexts. Future studies should investigate mixed findings in the existing literature, such as creativity not being found particularly attractive in a non-WEIRD society. Moreover, we identified remaining knowledge gaps and recommend that further research should be undertaken in the following areas: sexual and reproductive correlates of creativity in non-WEIRD societies, relationship between androgens, development, and creative expression, as well as the impact of ornamental, technical and everyday creativity on attractiveness. Evolutionary research should analyze whether being an evolved signal of genetic quality is the only way in which creativity becomes sexually selected and therefore passed on from generation to generation. This review has gone a long way toward integrating and enhancing our understanding of ornamental creativity as a possible sexual selected psychological trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Carvalho Novaes
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jean Carlos Natividade
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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11
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Zablocki-Thomas PB, Rogers FD, Bales KL. Neuroimaging of human and non-human animal emotion and affect in the context of social relationships. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:994504. [PMID: 36338883 PMCID: PMC9633678 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.994504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term relationships are essential for the psychological wellbeing of humans and many animals. Positive emotions and affective experiences (e.g., romantic or platonic love) seem to be closely related to the creation and maintenance of social bonds. When relationships are threatened or terminated, other emotions generally considered to be negative can arise (e.g., jealousy or loneliness). Because humans and animals share (to varying degrees) common evolutionary histories, researchers have attempted to explain the evolution of affect and emotion through the comparative approach. Now brain imaging techniques allow the comparison of the neurobiological substrates of affective states and emotion in human and animal brains using a common methodology. Here, we review brain imaging studies that feature emotions characterized by the context of social bonding. We compare imaging findings associated with affective and emotional states elicited by similar social situations between humans and animal models. We also highlight the role of key neurohormones (i.e., oxytocin, vasopressin, and dopamine) that jointly support the occurrence of socially contextualized emotions and affect across species. In doing so, we seek to explore and clarify if and how humans and animals might similarly experience social emotion and affect in the context of social relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Forrest D. Rogers
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Psychology Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Karen L. Bales
- California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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Geißert L, Schmidt NM, Henkel K, Luxem A, Hennig J. Dopamine and oxytocin and their relevance for attachment: A gene x gene interaction study. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Freeman H, Scholl JL, AnisAbdellatif M, Gnimpieba E, Forster GL, Jacob S. I only have eyes for you: Oxytocin administration supports romantic attachment formation through diminished interest in close others and strangers. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 134:105415. [PMID: 34607172 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Animal studies confirm oxytocin's (OT) role in regulating monogamous sexual behavior in pair-bonding rodents; and human studies are beginning to translate how this highly conserved neuropeptide is implicated in romantic attachment formation. A number of studies have shown how OT promotes relationship exclusivity by diminishing interest in strangers and increasing reward response to partners. Less clear is whether these effects are modulated by romantic duration or life history factors, or if OT's social distancing effects generalize beyond strangers to close relationships. We report the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study on the effects of a single dose of intranasal OT (24 IU) on forty-four young adults (91% female) in different stages of romantic attachment formation (M duration=21 months). Participants completed a screening survey and two lab visits separated by 4-weeks, including a diagrammatic measure of attachment to parents and peers, attitudes related to sexual conservatism and partner infidelity, ratings scales of closeness to romantic partners, and visual attractiveness ratings of strangers. Individual differences were examined by life history factors, including maternal love withdrawal and parental separation. Results indicated that OT administration decreased attachment to mothers, decreased attachment to subsidiary attachment figures, and decreased attraction to strangers. In all cases, emotional distancing was stronger among participants in newer romantic relationships. OT increased arousal to partner infidelity and increased sexual conservatism among participants with negative life history experiences (parental separation and high love withdrawal), whereas the reverse was true for participants reporting a more positive life history. Findings suggest that OT supports exclusivity through social distancing from strangers and close others within a sensitive period of attachment formation. In addition, findings indicate OT plays a different role in mate retention strategies by life history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Freeman
- Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education & Center for Brain and Behavior Research, School of Education, University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, United States.
| | - Jamie L Scholl
- Basic Biomedical Sciences & Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Musheera AnisAbdellatif
- Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education & Center for Brain and Behavior Research, School of Education, University of South Dakota, 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD 57069, United States
| | - Etienne Gnimpieba
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Arts & Sciences, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Gina L Forster
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Suma Jacob
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, United States
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Bode A, Kuula L. Romantic Love and Sleep Variations: Potential Proximate Mechanisms and Evolutionary Functions. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:923. [PMID: 34571801 PMCID: PMC8468029 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article provides a narrative review of what is known about romantic love and sleep variations and provides possible explanations for the association. Romantic love and sleep are described using a comprehensive, unifying framework advocated by Tinbergen. We summarise the findings of studies investigating the relationship between romantic love and sleep. Sleep variations are associated with romantic love in adolescents and young adults. We then detail some proximate mechanisms that may contribute to sleep variations in people experiencing romantic love before considering potential evolutionary functions of sleep variations in people experiencing romantic love. The relationship between symptoms of psychopathology and sleep variations in people experiencing romantic love is described. With the current state of knowledge, it is not possible to determine whether sleep variations associated with romantic love are adaptations or by-products of romantic love. We conclude by proposing areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bode
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
| | - Liisa Kuula
- SleepWell Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
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15
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Bode A, Kushnick G. Proximate and Ultimate Perspectives on Romantic Love. Front Psychol 2021; 12:573123. [PMID: 33912094 PMCID: PMC8074860 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.573123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Romantic love is a phenomenon of immense interest to the general public as well as to scholars in several disciplines. It is known to be present in almost all human societies and has been studied from a number of perspectives. In this integrative review, we bring together what is known about romantic love using Tinbergen’s “four questions” framework originating from evolutionary biology. Under the first question, related to mechanisms, we show that it is caused by social, psychological mate choice, genetic, neural, and endocrine mechanisms. The mechanisms regulating psychopathology, cognitive biases, and animal models provide further insights into the mechanisms that regulate romantic love. Under the second question, related to development, we show that romantic love exists across the human lifespan in both sexes. We summarize what is known about its development and the internal and external factors that influence it. We consider cross-cultural perspectives and raise the issue of evolutionary mismatch. Under the third question, related to function, we discuss the fitness-relevant benefits and costs of romantic love with reference to mate choice, courtship, sex, and pair-bonding. We outline three possible selective pressures and contend that romantic love is a suite of adaptions and by-products. Under the fourth question, related to phylogeny, we summarize theories of romantic love’s evolutionary history and show that romantic love probably evolved in concert with pair-bonds in our recent ancestors. We describe the mammalian antecedents to romantic love and the contribution of genes and culture to the expression of modern romantic love. We advance four potential scenarios for the evolution of romantic love. We conclude by summarizing what Tinbergen’s four questions tell us, highlighting outstanding questions as avenues of potential future research, and suggesting a novel ethologically informed working definition to accommodate the multi-faceted understanding of romantic love advanced in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Bode
- Human Behavioural Ecology Research Group, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Geoff Kushnick
- Human Behavioural Ecology Research Group, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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