The global survey revealing the evolutionary power of love
Scientists have decided to seek answers to the question of where romantic love comes from and why it was promoted in human evolution. We now know the conclusions drawn from a survey conducted in 90 countries.
Psychologists have conducted research that sheds new light on the evolutionary roots of romantic love. The survey results in 90 countries indicate that this love was crucial for ensuring the durability of relationships and increasing the number of offspring.
We have found evidence to support hypotheses about the evolutionary roots of romantic love. Our research shows one of the benefits that love brings, which is the durability and stability of a relationship, summarises psychologist Dr Marta Kowal from the University of Wrocław, Poland.
Evolutionary psychologists developed economist Robert Frank's theory, which suggests that love evolved to increase partners' sense of security and reproductive success.
Frank compared love—the basis of a romantic relationship—to a rental agreement between a tenant and a landlord. He noted that love assures two people that they will stay together and not flee at the first opportunity.
Research in 90 countries: what was found?
The study involved 86,000 people from 90 countries. Respondents were asked about their willingness to enter into a relationship with an ideal person but without love.
Assume that you are not currently in a steady relationship. Imagine you meet someone who has all your dreamed qualities of an ideal partner, but you are not in love with them. How likely is it (on a scale of 0 to 100) that you would marry this person/register your relationship? - they were asked.
Most respondents were not interested in such a relationship. The research, the results of which were published in the scientific journal "Human Nature," showed that men, wealthier individuals, and people without children were more interested in entering into a relationship without love, as these groups, for various reasons, can more easily afford life without a partner.
Furthermore, most respondents accepted relationships without love in Ghana, Morocco, Iran, and Uganda. Dr Kowal speculates that this may be due to collectivism and traditions of arranged marriages, where the good of the group dictates marriage decisions.
"Happily in love people are healthier"
According to Dr Kowal, romantic love derives from the relationship between a child and a mother. Mechanisms such as tenderness and attachment have permeated into adult relationships, bringing evolutionary benefits. Strong bonds between partners allow for better care of offspring, increasing the chances of passing genes to future generations.
This research confirms that romantic love is a beautiful feeling and an essential element of human evolution, present in cultures worldwide.
For people from all over the world, love is very important, probably because it is associated with a lasting and happy relationship. There is a lot of research showing that happily in love people are healthier, happier in everyday life, live longer, and take better care of themselves, reminds Dr. Kowal.
