Throughout history, love has inspired poetry, novels and songs. It’s also been explored in the sciences of psychology and anthropology, as well as in philosophy and religion.
Biological models tend to see love as a mammalian drive, similar to hunger or thirst. It’s influenced by hormones like oxytocin, and is shaped by our conceptions of what love should be.
Psychologists also understand love as a combination of emotions, with intimacy, passion and commitment being the main components. According to Sternberg’s triangle theory, each type of love has a different meaning: lust consists of sexual attraction; infatuation focuses on passion; companionate love contains intimacy and passion; and fatuous love involves both intimacy and commitment. Those that include all three of these aspects tend to last longer than those consisting of just one component.
This view of love explains why some people stay committed to someone they love even though they are in an unhealthy pattern of behavior, such as drug addiction or domestic violence. It’s because they want to encourage the person to move toward healthier patterns and find joy in them as a human being.
Those who believe this understanding of love can also offer their support to others by being present and supportive during the highs and lows of life. This means celebrating the successes of friends and loved ones, listening to their concerns and being their safe haven when they need it most. This is a true manifestation of love.