What do you picture when you hear the word love? Is it a long walk on the beach or a kiss in the rain? A white tablecloth dinner or a dozen red roses? Do you picture John Cusack holding a boombox outside Diane’s window or do you hear Paul McCartney singing ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’? In any case, it is evident that the word ‘love’ has many different definitions and personal connotations. So while research has recently begun to explore the complex neural basis behind this powerful emotion, it is my personal belief that love should not be defined scientifically, but rather by one’s own associations and individual interpretations.
Dr. Roger and Janet Knapp, pediatric specialists, posed this question to a group of four to eight year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they received were incredibly deep and extremely profound. Four year-old Billy replied, “When someone loves you the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Danny, age seven, responded, “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay." And Bobby, also age seven, answered, “Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Although in each of these cases, ‘love’ is seemingly a word used to explain …show more content…
Important in this stage are two hormones, which are thought to play a role in social attachments: oxytocin and vasopressin (Zeki). These hormones create an overall sense of well-being and security that is conducive to a lasting relationship. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone released by men and women during orgasm. It deepens the feelings of attachment and makes couples feel much closer to one another after they have had sex. The theory goes that the more sex a couple has, the deeper their bond becomes. Vasopressin is another important hormone in the long-term commitment stage and is released after
Dr. Roger and Janet Knapp, pediatric specialists, posed this question to a group of four to eight year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they received were incredibly deep and extremely profound. Four year-old Billy replied, “When someone loves you the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." Danny, age seven, responded, “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is okay." And Bobby, also age seven, answered, “Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” Although in each of these cases, ‘love’ is seemingly a word used to explain …show more content…
Important in this stage are two hormones, which are thought to play a role in social attachments: oxytocin and vasopressin (Zeki). These hormones create an overall sense of well-being and security that is conducive to a lasting relationship. Oxytocin is a powerful hormone released by men and women during orgasm. It deepens the feelings of attachment and makes couples feel much closer to one another after they have had sex. The theory goes that the more sex a couple has, the deeper their bond becomes. Vasopressin is another important hormone in the long-term commitment stage and is released after