Falling head over heels in love may be a thing of the past, according to science
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Research indicates a rise in individualism, which emphasizes personal goals over community welfare, significantly affecting romantic relationships. This trend, derived from one of the largest studies on love, reveals that prioritizing individual needs may not be detrimental.
As Yaroslava Valera Valentova, a professor at the University of São Paulo, notes, “Being completely in love and dependent can distract from personal goals, impacting work and study effectiveness.” She suggests that less focus on a romantic partner may lead to investments in other relationships and hobbies, enriching personal life.
According to earlier studies, the rise of individualism is a global phenomenon. Julie Aitken Shermer from Western University in Ontario posits, “The younger generation appears increasingly self-focused compared to previous generations.”
This could relate to modern influences such as globalization and social media. However, the impact of individualism, particularly on romantic love, remains mixed; research findings vary due to limited studies focusing on specific countries, as presented by Marta Kowal at a recent conference in Edinburgh.
Kowal and her team surveyed 61,000 adults aged 18 to 90 from 81 countries who had experienced varying lengths of romantic relationships.
Participants completed an online survey assessing their love intensity on a scale of 1 to 5, rating statements like, “I feel a deep emotional bond with this person” and “I am committed to maintaining this relationship.” Additionally, they evaluated individualism on a scale of 1 to 7 with statements such as, “The success of the group is more important than the success of the individual.”
The findings revealed that individuals with more individualistic tendencies reported lower levels of romantic love, even after accounting for age, gender, and economic background. This trend was consistent in a replication study involving over 6,000 adults across 50 countries.
As Thomas Curran from the London School of Economics points out, individualism can hinder our connections, leading to less intense romantic feelings. “If you’re too focused on yourself,” he explains, “you become competitive and worry about how to present your best self to others, which reduces vulnerability—a key component of deep love.”
To mitigate the effects of individualism on love, Shermer recommends fostering a sense of community through counseling or therapy.
Kowal’s ongoing study will track approximately 2,000 partnered individuals in Poland over a year to examine how variations in romantic love intensity influence overall happiness.
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Source: www.newscientist.com