Love is an emotion, a powerful force that binds two people together. There are different types of love, some of which are innate, while others are learned or socialized. Psychologists often distinguish between primary and secondary forms of love. The American Psychological Association describes love as a complex emotion. The different types of love may influence how people treat and experience others.
One type of love involves finding a beloved that is valuable to you. It also involves giving that person something valuable. This may include giving them something you personally value. A great example of selflessness is the behavior of Martin Luther King Jr. or Mahatma Gandhi, who devoted their lives to serving others. Other examples include Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey.
Although love is different for each person, the underlying biological and psychological causes of love are the same. In particular, romantic love increases the production of dopamine in areas of the brain associated with desire, such as the caudate nucleus. Another area that is effected is the ventral tegmental area, a region in the brain that is related to desire, motivation, and focus.
Another type of love is brotherly love, which is a bond between two close friends, regardless of gender. There is no sexual connotation to brotherly love. The Hebrew word ahabah describes this type of love, which we see in the relationship between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 20:17. The Greek word phileo refers to friendship. It is also used in John 15:19 and Romans 12:10.