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Randy Ludwig The Biology of Love, Sex & Attraction

TNDY 402 FEB 14— 2011

OVERVIEW:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Types of LOVE Biochemistry of LOVE Applications Conclusion

A few Stats:

Age of first marriage:

Women: 24.8 years Men: 27.3 years

The probability of first marriage by age 30: 74% for women 61% for men. The probability of first marriage by age 40: 86% for women 81% for men.

(Goodwin, McGill, & Chandra, 2009)

A few Stats:

17% of women & 25% of men have not married by age 35.

12% of women have not married by age 40, 17% of men have not married by age 40. The probability that men and women will marry by age 40 is over 80%.

(Goodwin, McGill, & Chandra, 2009)

TYPES:

If it feels different, it is different 1. 2. 3. 4.

Lust (Sex) Passionate Love (Infatuation/Romantic Love) Companionate Love (Attachment) Maternal Love

TYPES:

Lust/Sex: •

Non-selective sex, goodness of fit not important

Main Drivers: 1.

Testosterone: (C19 H28 O2 ) • Increases sexual arousal in men & women 2. Estradiol: (C18 H24 O2 ) • Associated with higher sexual activity in women • Higher masturbation rates • Preference for “manly” faces 3. Dopamine & Norepinephrine

Key Brain Areas Involved: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Medial insula Anterior cingulate Hypothalamus Nucleus accumbens VTA

TYPES:

Passionate Love: •

Exhilaration and euphoria

Increases in: 1. 2. 3.

Dopamine: (DA) Norepinephrine: (NE) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)

Decreases in: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Serotonin: (5HT) Frontal Lobe Amygdala Parietal lobe

Excess DA & NE tend to reduce 5HT Obsession

Key Brain Areas Involved: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Anterior cingulate Hippocampus Nucleus accumbens Hypothalamus VTA Caudate nucleus

Pleasure Centers In the Brain:

Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC)

Cingulate Gyrus

Thalamus

2. ________

3. ________

Corpus Callosum

1. ________

Nucleus Accumbens

11. ________

Cerebellum

4. ________

Hypothalamus

10. ________

Pituitary Gland

9. ________

Amygdala

Hippocampus

5. ________

8. ________ Medulla

Pons

7. ________

6. ________

TYPES:

Companionate Love: • •

Calmer type of love, emotional bond EX: grandparents married for 30 years

Increases in: 1. Oxytocin: (OXT) 2. Vasopressin: (AVP)

Decreases in: 1. Serotonin: (5HT)

• • •

Chemically similar Produced in hypothalamus Released from pituitary gland

TYPES:

Maternal Love: •

Parent & child

Increases in: 1. Oxytocin: (OXT) 2. Vasopressin: (AVP)

Brain implications: •

Decreases in: 1. Serotonin: (5HT)

• •

Hypothalamus not activated Striatum is activated Slight reduction in frontal lobe

APPLICATIONS:

Prairie Voles: • •

Socially monogamous (mate with others at times) High levels of OXT & AVP receptors • If OXT & AVP blocked: they become promiscuous

Montane Voles: • • •

Promiscuous No long-term attachment OXT & AVP injections in montane voles doesn’t lead to monogamy—why?

Clark & Hatfield (1989):

• Students were approached by another student of the opposite sex, who said: • “I have been noticing you around campus and I find you very attractive.” • This was followed by one of three invitations: – “Would you go out with me tonight?” – “Would you come over to my apartment?” – “Would you go to bed with me?”

Percent Saying “Yes”

100 80 60 About half of both sexes said “yes” to the date

40 20 0 Go Out

Go to Apt.

Go to Bed

Percent Saying “Yes”

100 80 60 About half of both sexes said “yes” to the date

40 20 0 Go Out

Go to Apt.

Go to Bed

Percent Saying “Yes”

100 80 60 About half of both sexes said “yes” to the date

40 20 0 Go Out

Go to Apt.

Go to Bed

Not a single woman said “yes” to the sexual invitation

Percent Saying “Yes”

100 80 60 About half of both sexes said “yes” to the date

40 20 0 Go Out

Go to Apt.

Go to Bed

Not a single woman said “yes” to the sexual invitation

Percent Saying “Yes”

100

Men were even more likely to say “yes” to the sexual invitation

If men said “No,” then they typically apologized and/or offered an excuse such as “I’m dating someone”

80 60 About half of both sexes said “yes” to the date

40 20 0 Go Out

Go to Apt.

Go to Bed

Not a single woman said “yes” to the sexual invitation

Mate Preferences of Women • • • • • • • • • •

Economic Resources Good Financial Prospects High Social Status Older Men Ambition and Industriousness Dependability and Stability Athletic Prowess Good Health and Physical Appearance Love and Commitment Willingness to Invest in Children

Mate Preferences of Males • Desire women who are: – Intelligent, kind, humorous, understanding, & healthy – Similar in terms of values, personality, and religious beliefs

In Addition... • Youth • A cue for fertility

Mate Preferences of Males • Youth • Physical Beauty • full lips, clear skin, smooth skin, clear eyes, lustrous hair, good muscle tone, & attractive body fat distribution • Behavior: youthful gait, animated facial expression, & high energy level – “Average” & symmetrical faces are more attractive

Mate Preferences of Males • Youth • Physical Beauty • Body Fat and the Critical Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) – Universal preference across cultures... – .70 is optimal

References:

Clark, R.D., & Hatfield, E. (1989). Gender differences in receptivity oto sexual offers. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 20, 771-782. Fisher, J, Aron, A, & Brown, L.L. (2005). Romantic Love: an fmri study of a neural mechanism for mate choice. The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 493:58, 58-62. Fisher, H.E., Aron, A., Mashek, D., Haifang, L., & Brown, L.L. (2002). Defining the brain systems of lust, romantic attraction, and attachment. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 31:5, 413-419. Johnson, S. (2009). Addicted to love. The Brain. Winter, 50-55. Savulescu, J., & Sandberg, A. (2008). Neuroenhancement of love and marriage: The chemicals between us. Nueroethics. !:31, 31-44 Zeki, S. (2006). The neurobiology of love. FEBS Letters 581, 25752579.