Beyond Emotion: Love as an Encounter of Myth and Drive

Abstract

Starting with a review of research on love as an emotion, with an emphasis on romantic love, it is argued that despite strong emotional correlates evidence is lacking to conclude that love would meet the criteria of basic emotions. Theoretical developments are proposed where love is conceived of as a combination of an objectless drive, a desire for love, and a mythical and scripted representation that offers the possibility of labeling the current core affect. I argue that the basic motive for love is not so much the partner’s personal attributes, but rather the benefits of the transformative power of being in love.