Through all the history of humanity a hot polemic around the meaning of the word “love” was conducted; however, even nowadays this polemic did not offer any established facts that would really help to see the meaning of true love. In the chapter 10 titled “Intimate Relationships” a decent effort to actually specify on all the important matters connected to the notion of “love” can be found. In the following paper, this chapter will be examined in terms of its value and the important lessons which can be derived from it. In addition, the paper aims to reveal some weak points which can be also found in the chapter. Generally, after evaluating the information which is related in the chapter under consideration, it should be stated that its strongest point is in revealing important information concerning the conceptual distinction between liking and loving, and its weakest point is in its failure to explain the mechanism leading to the development of affection, and love as a result which is so important when some person is to be offered psychological help in case of certain problems in this area.
First of all, speaking about the chapter under consideration in the following paper, it should be stated that its main idea seems to be in providing some help in understanding all the important matters which are rife in connection to the meaning of “love” notion. In addition, the article makes a thorough effort to reveal all the complicated issues which may be connected to the phenomenon of developing of varied types of affection, emotional attachment and love. All the important conclusions made in the article are based on a true story about Ben and Elaine. Through the whole article the reader may see the reasoning of its author which is directed to prove that love that initially gets Ben and Elaine together is not a guarantee for their happy and lasting relationship.
Further, with regards to the material in the chapter under consideration which can be evaluated as the most interesting, it should be stated that the information concerning the conceptual distinction between liking and loving is very impressive. The author of the article put a lot of work into stating all the main points which characterize real love including affiliation, attachment and dependency. In addition, all the attributes of liking which are often confused with real love characteristics are revealed in this chapter in the most detailed and easy for understanding way.
Next, addressing the weakest point in this chapter, the information about the development of affection inside human brain and heart should be mentioned. The article’s failure to explain the mechanism leading to the development of affection, and love as a result which is so important when some person is to be offered psychological help in case of certain problems in this area can be evaluated as the biggest and the most upsetting draw back in this excellent piece on psychology.
Finally, discussing the point which is most difficult for understanding in this chapter, I would mention the connection between love and psychological health. The author addresses this connection rather often, but it is done in a way that is rather not clear and can be evaluated as something very ambiguous.
Concluding on all the information related above, it should be stated that the article discussed in the paper argues that the true love is very different form simple affection. It discusses the features of real love, and the way it affects human mentality and conduct. Evaluating the information revealed in the article, it appears that it presents a thorough research on the difference between real love and likeness, but it fails to offer detailed discussion of mechanisms developed in order to help people who have faced this area.