ABSTRACT

How mystical is love really? Sought after, capable of sending us to emotional extremes from abysmal misery to irrepressible joy, love is often perceived as a force beyond mortal control. Is it as dumb, blind or arbitrary as we often think, and are we subject to its whims? Or do we actually choose carefully, if not always wisely, the partners we do?

Falling in Love shows us that we both consciously and unconsciously select those with whom we have intimate relationships. Written by a renowned psychologist and couple's therapist, this fascinating, engaging mix of psychological research and clinical anecdotes discusses how each of us can, through successful intimate partnerships, help ourselves to grow as individuals. Each chapter concludes with suggestions for those seeking love, and explains how self-knowledge is the foundation to a healthy, satisfying relationship.

part 1|124 pages

CONSCIOUS CHOICES

chapter 1|10 pages

PROXIMITY, THE HIDDEN MATCHMAKER

chapter 2|16 pages

AROUSAL, THE ELIXIR OF LOVE

chapter 3|22 pages

BEAUTY AND CHARACTER

chapter 4|18 pages

BIRDS OF A FEATHER OR OPPOSITES ATTRACT?

chapter 5|14 pages

SATISFYING NEEDS AND RECIPROCATING LOVE

chapter 6|14 pages

FALLING IN LOVE AS A PROCESS

chapter 7|28 pages

ON GENDER AND LOVE, STATUS AND BEAUTY

part 2|86 pages

UNCONSCIOUS CHOICES

chapter 8|18 pages

OPENNESS TO LOVE

chapter 10|28 pages

THE INTERNAL ROMANTIC IMAGE

chapter 11|20 pages

FOUR STORIES

part 3|26 pages

ROMANTIC LOVE IN LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS