The intensity of experienced love components among youth

Abstract

Introduction. Since a time scientists have began to „dissolve” love and separate „elemental factors”; thus the love “alchemy” or “chemistry” has a different sense now. The most known is the triangular theory of love by Sternberg, according to whom love consists of Intimacy, Passion, and Decision/Commitment. The aim of this work was to assess the intensity of love components among young women and men.
Material and methods. The study population consisted of 567 studying young people (353 women and 214 men) (mean age: 20.15 years); the polish version of the “Intimacy, Passion and Commitment Scale”. Results. As an outcome of the conducted researches it was found that there were statistical significant differences in the case of Intimacy and Commitment, in which women have higher scores than men. Furthermore in the population of women there is a distinct gradation (in order: Intimacy, Passion, Commitment).
Results. The researches showed significant differences in the intensity of love components regarding the gender (sex). Women more intensely than men experience Intimacy and Commitment. Among men equal intensive is Intimacy and Passion.
Conclusions. Women and men in various ways experience love. Women more intensively experience
Polish Sexology 2010; 8 (1): 30-33