The Science of Love - Wind Goodfriend

Category: Lecture
Language: English
Keywords: The Great Courses

Written by Wind Goodfriend
Read by Wind Goodfriend
Format: M4B
Bitrate: 32 Kbps

How can things like the scientific method, experimental design, and statistical analysis be applied to something as mysterious and delicate as love? In fact, the science of love is a well-established thing.

Through this eye-opening examination of one of our most ethereal emotions, you’ll gain effective insights to adjust and enhance the way you interact and communicate with the important people in your life. Understanding the science of love can help you appreciate the motivations behind what people do and how individual differences can explain the romantic choices we make.

Through 10 illuminating lectures, Dr. Wind Goodfriend surveys the biology of interpersonal attraction, sexual preference and desire, and conflict resolution. You’ll look at a variety of romantic notions, common myths, and love stereotypes through the lens of science in order to break them down and better set expectations when it comes to keeping a long-term relationship happy and healthy. You’ll apply biology, psychology, and anthropology to that “spark” we feel when we are attracted to someone, to better understand what that feeling is. Hint: It’s not magic.

Love is one of the strongest emotions humans can experience. You will also examine the dark side of love—the power and influence it can have over us. And you’ll explore three very popular, but also very different, theoretical perspectives on how we behave in relationships.

Love is a source of never-ending fascination. Comprehending this complex and complicated emotion can help us understand—and love—each other better.