The Biology of Love

Learning Outcomes B6: Using one or more examples,

explain the effects of neurotransmission on human behavior.

Love Quotes Share your quote with your table and

explain why you chose it.

Discuss the following questions… What do our quotes reveal about love? Are

there any common themes?

From your own experiences, are these quotes accurate representations of love? Why or why not?

What value does our society place on love?

The Science of Addiction Key Questions:

What is the function of dopamine in regular behavior?

What role does dopamine play in creating addition?

What important ideas stand out to you about addiction?

The Three Stages of Love Lust Romantic Love Attachment

Lust• The craving for sexual gratification.

Romantic Love• Elation, heightened energy, mood swings,

focused attention, craving for emotional union with the beloved, goal orientated behavior, and intense motivation to win the preferred mate. Increased Dopamine: Goal seeking behavior,

increase in energy, sleeplessness, craving, mood swings, etc.

Lowered Serotonin: Obsessive Thinking

Attachment The connection and feeling of content

when in proximity with your partner and anxiety when separated.

Related to Oxytocin (Hormone)

Fisher et al (2003) Aim: To determine the neurological

activity of a person in love. Method:

Participants: 7 Men, 10 Women. Between the ages of 18-26. Average relationships of 7.4 months.

Placed participants in fMRI Machine Showed a picture of an acquaintance,

asked them to count backwards to clear mind, and then showed picture of their beloved.

Fisher et al (2003) ContinuedFindings: When looking at the

image of their beloved, participants displayed activity in the area of the brain called the VTA. This area is part of the brain’s “reward system,” and is rich in dopamine.

Conclusions: Dopamine plays an essential role in shaping the feelings of love.

Critical Thinking?

Marazziti et al (1999)Aim: To compare the brain

chemistry of a person in love with a person with OCD.

Method: 20 Men & Women recently fallen in

love. 20 Men & Women with OCD 20 Men & Women as a Control Took samples of their blood and

measured levels of serotonin.

Marazziti et al. (1999)Finding: Men and Women with

OCD and those in love had similarly lowered levels of serotonin.

Conclusion: Decreased Activity of Serotonin contributes to a lover’s obsessive thinking.

Critical Thinking?

Wrap Up: Your Love is My Drug What does this lesson reveal about Ke$ha’s

brain chemistry during this song? How does this relate to addiction?

What stage of love is Ke$ha experiencing?

What advice would you give to Ke$ha if you were one of her friends?

Example #2: Oxytocin Released by the pituitary gland. Only exists in mammals. Acts primarily as a neurotransmitter. Involved in building bonds, trust, and

generosity. The coolest hormone ever!

Feldman et al. (2012) Hormone: Oxytocin Aim: To investigate the role of Oxytocin

in early relationships in young adults. Method:

Measured the oxytocin levels of 120 young adults (60 couples of 3 months) and 43 singles.

Measured oxytocin levels of the same participants six months later.

Feldman et al. (2012) Findings:

Oxytocin levels were higher for the new couples than the single individuals.

High Oxytocin levels at the first test correlated with couples staying together after 6 months.

High Oxytocin predicted more affectionate touch, reciprocity, positive emotions, and worries about the partner and relationship.

Conclusion: Oxytocin plays a key role in the formation of new romantic relationships among young adults.

Critical Thinking?

Ditzen (2013) Hormone: Oxytocin Aim: To determine the impact of

oxytocin on couples’ communication. Method: Had couples either spray

oxytocin or a placebo up their nose and engage in a high stress conversation.

Ditzen (2013) Continued Findings:

Oxytocin improved communication and lowered levels of cortisol.

Women: showed less social stress Men: showed more social stress and were

more engaged in the conversation (Eye contact, smiling, etc.)

Conclusions: Oxytocin impacts the ways that couples communicate.

Critical Thinking?

Nakajima et al. (2014) Aim: To determine the role of oxytocin in

female rats interest levels in male rats. Method: Gave a group of female rats a

chemical that blocked the receptor sites of oxytocin in the frontal lobe.

Finding: The females showed almost no interest in males and even showed equal attention to a LEGO block.

Conclusion: Oxytocin is responsible for sexual interest in female rats.

Critical Thinking?