Lust and love : are they separable?

Abstract

This paper aims to solve the problem of whether lust and love are separable components. Theories, researches and empirical evidences from four different perspectives will be reviewed, which are behavioural perspective, biological perspective, evolutionary perspective, and cultural perspective. This paper will split into two parts. The first part will be consisted of definition of love and lust, and the theories associated with them. The second part will be consisted of reviewing empirical evidences from four different perspectives, and determine whether lust and love can be viewed as two separated components. Behavioural perspective will be presented first, and it will be focused on the relationship among forms of love, love styles, love attitudes, and relationship satisfaction. Biological perspective will followed up next, and it will be focused on the neuron activities and brain parts associated with lust and love components. Evolutionary perspective will comes third, and it will be focused on various dimensions regarding reproduction and survival. Lastly cultural perspective will be focused on the comparison between Western culture and Chinese culture on different love and lust issue.