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Distinguishing between romantic love and romantic relationships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2026

Sandra J. E. Langeslag Open the ORCID record for Sandra J. E. Langeslag [Opens in a new window]
Sandra J. E. Langeslag*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri – St. Louis, St. Louis, USA langeslags@umsl.edu
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Because not all romantic relationships are loving and not all romantic love happens within a romantic relationship, it would be good to specify whether Kruglanski’s model applies to falling in love, initiating a romantic relationship, or both. In addition, the model seems less applicable to one-sided love phenomena such as unreciprocated love, love at first sight, and parasocial love.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e11
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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