Gender differences in self-estimated types of love for self and others

Abstract

Empirical work about love has primarily considered the love of one individual for another. This work uses a novel method to study estimated types of love for self and others based on passionate and companionate theory, and triangular love theory. Two hundred and fifty participants (161 females and 89 males) rated self-estimates and other’s estimates (romantic partners and parents) of global love and several love types. Women self-estimated passionate love, companionate love, intimacy, and commitment more than men did. Gender differences in estimated love types for romantic partners, fathers, and mothers were not evidenced. As regards self-partner differences respondents rated their romantic partners similarly to themselves. Regarding generational differences, children assessed themselves greater in all love types than their parents, except in commitment. Passionate love and commitment significantly predicted global love for self, partners, and parents. Suggestions and limitations are offered.

What’s love got to do with jealousy?

“…The empirical evidence suggests that romantic love conveys diverse proximate components and is influenced by individual factors ( Perry-Paldi et al, 2019 ). Elements such as intimacy, passion and commitment are universal influences of the love experience ( Finkel et al, 2017 ; Sorokowski et al, 2017 ; Neto, 2023 ). On the other hand, individual differences, such as gender, age, and cultural modernization, can impact the experience of romantic love ( Feybesse and Hatfield, 2019 ; Sorokowski et al, 2023 ).…”